Basque pro-independence coalition Bildu has been allowed to take part in the May 22nd elections to be held in the Basque Country. Reversing last week's decision by the Supreme Court, the Spanish Constitutional Court has ruled that there is no reason enough to bar Bildu from the elections. This has provoked satisfaction among Bildu's leaders and outrage among Spanish nationalists, including some important newspapers based in Madrid.

Six judges in the Constitutional Court have supported allowing Bildu to contest elections, while five have been opposed. The judges consider that banning the pro-independence coalition (formed by Eusko Alkartasuna, Alternatiba and independents) was against Article 23 of the Spanish Constitution.

Bildu leaders Pello Urizar and Oskar Matute thanked Basque society for its mobilization against the banning of the coalition. Both politicians said that doors are now open for a massive pro-independence and leftist vote.

Bildu will contest local elections, having chances to win some municipalities. They will also contest seats in the Parliament of Navarre and in the Juntas Generales/Batzar Nagusiak (representative assemblies) of Basque foral territories of Biscay, Gipuzkoa and Araba.