The PNV is advocating for a “new political pact” with the Spanish State that involves a “bilateral relationship” between the Basque government and the central government and includes the “recognition of Euskadi as a nation.” The Lehendakari, Imanol Pradales, made this statement during the celebration of Alderdi Eguna, the national party’s main event in Vitoria. Following him, Andoni Ortuzar, the party’s president, announced that they will negotiate with all democratic forces to hear their proposals and willingness to support a reform of the Basque Country’s Statute of Autonomy. Ortuzar emphasized that the pact for the investiture of Pedro Sánchez’s government already committed to “dialogue” regarding the recognition of the Basque “nation.”
During his first speech as Lehendakari at Alderdi Eguna, Pradales advocated for a new pact that recognizes the uniqueness of Basque self-government and ensures a system of guarantees for compliance with agreements with the State. He also mentioned that the PNV will explore new paths beyond state frameworks for the growth of the Basque people towards a “new, global, freer, and more connected Euskadi.” Several representatives of Junts per Catalunya, including their spokesperson in Congress, Miriam Nogueras, attended the event as guests and emphasized the need for proposals that improve the conditions of Catalonia. Ortuzar reiterated that the PNV will call on all democratic political forces to negotiate a text with broad political support to achieve a successful pact for new self-government.
The Alderdi Eguna also served as a platform for criticism, with the PNV targeting EH Bildu, their main political rival in the Basque territory, as well as the Spanish government, despite their parliamentary support for it. Ortuzar highlighted the recent exception where the PNV supported the PP’s initiative against the Venezuelan regime as it aligned with their stance on the country but distanced themselves from the PP on other issues, such as the transfer of Traffic competencies to Navarra. The PNV reiterated their commitment to the government, reminding them of the agreements made during the investiture pact with Pedro Sánchez, emphasizing their intention to fulfill and ensure compliance with those agreements.
Lehendakari Pradales expressed concern about a “Jacobin and centralizing tendency of States,” emphasizing the defense of Basque self-government and bilateral relationships. He criticized attacks on the Basque fiscal arrangements in the context of political earthquakes triggered by agreements in Catalonia that threaten the existing financial system and sovereignty. Pradales also criticized EH Bildu, comparing their approach to the PNV’s successful national and social development model in Euskadi. He urged the Spanish government to fulfill the promises of the Guernica Statute and emphasized the need for concrete actions rather than mere words to establish a bilateral relationship with the State and explore new avenues beyond existing frameworks.
The PNV’s stance highlights their commitment to a dialogue with various political forces to advance towards a new political future for Euskadi, emphasizing the historical right and democratic will of the Basque people. They aim to negotiate a broad political consensus for a successful pact with both Vitoria and Madrid, which would result in the desired new self-government. The party’s call for dialogue with democratic forces and their endorsement of their previous agreements with the Spanish government indicate their willingness to work collaboratively towards achieving their goals for Basque self-government and recognition as a nation.
