MADRID — Spain's right-leaning opposition will thrash the ruling Socialists in November 20 elections, polls showed Sunday, as anger over an economic crisis spilled into the streets.

The conservative Popular Party, led by 56-year-old Mariano Rajoy, is set for a record parliamentary majority, surveys said.

The Socialists, whose standard bearer is 60-year-old Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, faced their greatest defeat since Spain returned to democracy after the 1975 death of General Francisco Franco, the polls said.

Spain's two leading contenders for prime minister in the forthcoming general elections have held their only live television debate.

High unemployment and the weak economy dominated the encounter between the governing Socialists' Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba and opponent Mariano Rajoy.

Opinion polls suggest the Socialist party (PSOE) is on course for a resounding defeat by the centre-right opposition Popular Party (PP).