Iñigo Urkullu is preparing to step down as lehendakari and wants to ensure a smooth transition of power to his successor at Ajuria Enea, likely to be Imanol Pradales, also from the PNV. He has instructed his cabinet ministers to organize the “legacy” of his government’s actions during this term, as confirmed by the spokesperson of the autonomous government, Bingen Zupiria. The inauguration of the sixth lehendakari in democracy could take place in the second half of June, so until then the acting government will only be able to address ordinary matters. Urkullu has asked the PNV and PSE-EE councilors to assess the degree of compliance with the legislative calendar and departmental objectives outlined in the 2024 budget, as well as list the pending plans for the current budget year. The Basque leader wants a peaceful transition and will work to “organize everything for the new government”.
With the election results on April 21st, a reiteration of the alliance between the PNV and the PSE-EE is assured, as they secured 27 and 12 seats respectively, giving them an absolute majority in the Basque Parliament and “broad social support,” according to the spokesperson. Following a meeting after the Sunday elections, Zupiria informed the press that the PNV and socialist councilors had informally discussed the electoral results and agreed that they were satisfactory for both parties supporting the government. The day after the elections, both the PNV and the PSE-EE stated their intention to continue the Government formula that has been in place since 2016. They acknowledged that the socialists would have a greater role in the new cabinet than in the current one (eight ministries for the PNV and three for the PSE).
In addition to distributing government portfolios, the PNV and PSE will also discuss who will hold the presidency of the Basque Parliament, the second most important position after the lehendakari. Bakartxo Tejeria (PNV) has held this role for the past four years. The nationalists aim to retain this position, as the leader Andoni Ortuzar noted that the party with the highest number of votes usually assumes the highest institutional responsibility in the Basque Chamber. Ortuzar ruled out an agreement with EH Bildu, who tied with the PNV with 27 seats. He criticized the left-wing independence movement for their inability to negotiate with others.
The focus is on reaching an understanding between the PNV and the Socialists and forming a new coalition government. “We will create a government program that both parties are comfortable with. I cannot ask the Socialist Party to become Basque nationalist overnight, but as PNV, I can advocate for my vision of the new status and self-government that Euskadi demands now and that the Basque society needs,” Ortuzar emphasized. The issue of self-government was one of the disagreements highlighted in the government program signed by the two parties in 2020. The goal is to create a coalition government that serves the interests of both parties and meets the needs of the Basque society.
