Spain’s Gonzalez Quits Party Post

MADRID —  Former Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez announced Friday that he is resigning as the head of Spain’s Socialists, setting up a battle to choose who will lead the party in the next national election.

Gonzalez, prime minister from 1982 to 1996, surprised many at the opening of the party’s 34th congress by proclaiming he will not run for reelection as party leader. The post is normally held by the party’s candidate for prime minister. The next national election is scheduled for 2000 but could be held earlier.

Gonzalez took over leadership of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party in 1974 and was a firm leftist against the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in his early years. He became more moderate after becoming prime minister, steering the Socialists toward the center and becoming a leading proponent of further integration of European Union countries.

Candidates to succeed Gonzalez will be announced this weekend. Nearly 1,000 delegates at the Socialist congress will choose the new secretary-general Sunday in a vote for the party’s executive board.