Voters in Spain cast their ballots in local and regional polls which are seen as a crucial barometer ahead of a year-end general election. "I think it will be an important test" says Maria Alonso, speaking at a polling station in Madrid, "this is the only way we have to express our opinion on all these years of government". Voters are casting ballots for mayors in 8,131 municipalities, while also electing leaders and assemblies in 12 of Spain's 17 regions. The stakes are high for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's government, with surveys suggesting he faces defeat. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES