The prime minister's second achievement has been to tackle Spain's restive regions. His People's Party predecessor, José María Aznar, was positively Castilian in his determination to maintain Madrid's grip and refuse to negotiate. Yet Mr Zapatero quickly began to discuss a new deal with Catalonia. He also reached out to the Basques, even offering to talk to ETA if the terrorist group declared a permanent ceasefire. The People's Party pilloried him for giving in to the gun and, more generally, risking the break-up of Spain. Yet Mr Zapatero has now delivered a new statute for Catalonia that uses the word “nation” but stops short of self-determination, let alone independence. After securing his permanent ceasefire, he is also going to talk to ETA. The prospect of a settlement in the Basque country looks the best in a generation.

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