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Eusko Alkartasuna (EA), Alternatiba and the Basque pro-independence movement finalized an agreement aimed at joining "efforts with a view to building the Basque nation and working towards social transformation", only by "political means". The three parties considered the deal as a "political priority and an unavoidable commitment", and comes as a result of work carried out last year to merge political strategies.

The "Agreement for political and social change between pro-independence and pro-sovereignty left supporters" includes political measures for both the territories of the Basque autonomous community and Navarre, such as the right of the Basque people to "freely decide on its own future", the "consolidation of a peaceful scenario" and measures for deepening democracy, as well as an "equitable and ecological socio-economic model" and a real promotion of the Basque language.

Aralar -a splinter party of Batasuna against the use of violence- has not signed the agreement. Aralar co-ordinator in Navarre Txentxo Jiménez declared he is convinced his party will run forthcoming Navarrese elections due in May alongside EA and PNV (Basque Nationalist Party), since the tripartite agreement is not a new electoral coalition. However, the Aralar-EA-PNV coalition (NaBai) will run elections in 2011 without Batzarre, a Navarrese leftist group that made a political alliance with Izquierda Unida (former communists). The leftist Basque pro-independence movement announced a letter has been sent to NaBai members to arrange a meeting and explore the possibilities of setting up an inclusive coalition.

PNV, in favour of the legalization of the leftist pro-independence movement

President of Basque Nationalist Party Iñigo Urkullu declared it is not time for banning, but for "political participation", and called for all non-violent political options to participate in elections without "blackmail, violence and restrictions."

Madrid threatens to ban eventual lists

The stance of the Spanish government after ETA's ceasefire has not moved an inch. Minister of Justice reaffirmed the Basque leftist pro-independence movement will not be allowed to run elections. List of candidates including members of the movement will be prohibited as long as the movement "does not break away from ETA". Therefore, a probable coalition made up of EA, Alternatiba and the Basque leftist pro-independence movement would be accordingly banned.

Further information:

• Gara: Izquierda abertzale, EA y Alternatiba impulsarán juntos la soberanía y el cambio social
• Deia: Caamaño impuganará listas de la IA con otros partidos si incluyen personas vinculadas a ETA