MADRID, Spain: Spain’s northern Basque Country is poised for a regional election on Sunday, with polls indicating a likely victory for the left-wing separatist coalition EH Bildu, considered the successor to the political wing of the defunct armed separatist group ETA.
The outcome of the election could present challenges for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s ruling Socialist Worker’s Party, requiring a delicate decision between two key parliamentary allies.
Surveys suggest EH Bildu, including the Basque socialist Sortu party, is expected to secure victory. EH Bildu, seen as ETA’s political successor, has gained popularity, particularly among young voters, due to its stance on social issues.
In a closely contested race, neither EH Bildu nor the centrist Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), which has dominated the region’s politics for decades, is projected to secure an absolute majority, making the regional branch of the Socialist party a potential kingmaker.
Sanchez’s government relies on support from regional allies like PNV and EH Bildu, potentially complicating the decision-making process.
Despite EH Bildu’s rise, concerns persist over its historical ties to ETA. The Socialist candidate Eneko Andueza emphasized that any alliance with EH Bildu would hinge on their unequivocal condemnation of terrorism.
The Basque Country, with its robust economy and low unemployment rate, holds strategic importance in Spain’s regional politics. The region’s wealth and historical significance underpin the electoral dynamics, with parties navigating complex historical legacies and contemporary economic priorities.
The election, involving 1.8 million eligible voters, will determine the composition of the regional parliament, comprising 75 lawmakers.
The Basque nationalist movement, rooted in Sabino Arana’s ideology, has shaped the region’s political landscape. ETA’s emergence in the 1950s marked a turbulent period, reflecting broader nationalist sentiments and anti-Franco resistance.
The outcome of the election will have implications for Spain’s regional governance and broader political dynamics, underscoring the complexities of Basque identity and political aspirations.
