Dossier

Spanish election 2015: the Basque Country and Galicia

Basque Country

In Spain's four Basque historical territories -Biscay, Gipuzkoa, Álava and Navarre-, Basque parties are running for election on four different lists. Pro-independence abertzale left's EH Bildu coalition -in 2011 the brand chosen was Amaiur- is asking support to show how "sovereignty and independence" demands are "strong" in the Basque society. EH Bildu seeks also to "promote a process of resolution" of the Basque violent conflict.

In the first three of the four territories, the Basque Nationalist Party's (PNV) manifesto argues the current statute of autonomy should be "overcome" and replaced by a new "status" based on an "agreement between equal partners," that is the Basque and the Spanish governments. The PNV's proposal is thus to keep the Basque lands within Spain, but enjoying enlarged autonomy and the official recognition of the "Basque nation."

In Navarre, PNV is again running in an alliance with Navarrese political association Zabaltzen under the Geroa Bai banner. In 2011, Geroa Bai won one seat. For the 2015-2019 term, the alliance is demanding a renewed agreement between Navarre and Spain to enlarge Navarrese self-government.

A small pro-independence party, Navarrese Freedom (LN) is running in Navarre, Álava and Gipuzkoa. The party was established in 2014, and calls for the reconstruction of the Navarrese state that disappeared at the beginning of the modern age. According to LN officials, that state continues to exist "as a passive subject of international law."

Surveys suggest that the PNV could become the largest party in the Basque Country, securing 5 to 7 seats. Both EH Bildu and Podemos could come second, with 4-5 seats each. Geroa Bai could be retaining its current seat or losing it.

Galicia

Galician pro-sovereignty parties will be contesting the election divided into two leftist alliances. Largest Galician party BNG is driving a new alliance, Nós, which another four minor parties have joined. Their manifesto talks about the "democratic rupture" with Spain and the launch of a Galician constitutional process as a way to unilaterally assume sovereignty.

On the other side, pro-sovereignty Anova party -founded by former BNG leader Xosé Manuel Beiras- has agreed to run under a joint alliance, En Marea, with Spain-wide parties Podemos and IU, plus the Galician citizens' platform Marea Galega. The alliance says it favours Galicia's right to self-determination and the "recognition of the different nations of the [Spanish] state and the constitutional processes." En Marea's manifesto suggests Spain should become an officially plurinational country in order to better accommodate Galicia.

Furthermore, another Galician party, the Land Party (PT), is demanding further devolution of powers to Galicia. The PT also proposes to implement direct democracy in Galicia under a system based on a Galician traditional administrative division, the parish.

According to polls, Spain-wide PP would remain as the largest party in Galicia, albeit losing many votes and seats. The second place is expected to be contested by PSOE and the En Marea alliance, which could secure 5-6 seats each. BNG is in danger of losing both seats it currently holds in the Spanish Congress. No survey predicts any win for the PT.