The new Spanish prime minister has signalled that he intends to challenge the coalition between Britain, Spain and the US.

Following his weekend election victory Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said he would withdraw troops from Iraq in a move which undermines the UK's stance on the issue.

In what the Independent describes as a "stinging rebuke" he warned that war cannot be organised on the basis "of lies".

Zapatero also put himself at odds with Britain when he called for accelerated adoption of the text for a new EU constitution.

His election leaves Tony Blair more isolated in Europe, concludes the FT's James Blitz.