The Basque region’s declaration last week that it has the right to secede from Spain has pushed Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero toward the first crisis of his tenure, political analysts say. Throughout his nearly nine months in office, Mr. Zapatero has largely promoted policies that are solidly supported by the Spanish public, helping him to avoid major setbacks or controversies. But editorial writers and politicians say his affinity for following the polls has kept him from taking on tough issues, chief among them the growing signs in recent months that the Basque region was moving toward an overt challenge to the central government’s authority. Full Story