The Basque Political Conflict.

Contents…

1. Geographical location

2. Historical overview

3. Contemporary Basque politics

4. Contemporary causes of conflict

5. The future?

6. Conclusions

‘Euskal Herria’ – 7 Basque Provinces…

…2 States…

• French Basque Country… Ipparalde.

• Lapurdi / Labourd• Nafarroa Beherea /

Basse Navarre• Zuberoa / Soule

• Spanish Basque Country… Hegoalde.

• Gipuzkoa• Araba• Bizkaia

• Nafarroa

…3 administrative realities…

Part 2. Historical Overview…

1. Historically, Basques renowned for language, traditions and defence of their lands.

2. Nineteenth Century:

-1876, Basques lose the ‘fueros’/ local laws which guaranteed some autonomy.

- 1875-1920, massive industrialisation and large influx of migrants from Spain… creates tensions.

……

3. Franco dictatorship 1939 – 1975:

- Basque government driven underground/ into France.

- Severe repression of Basque language and practises.

- Second boom period for Basque economy in the 60s… fresh wave of migrants from other regions in Spain.

- 1952: Bilbao students, frustrated with PNV, form ‘Ekin’.

‘Euskadi Ta Askatasuna’ formed in 1959

• Originally formed by members of ‘Ekin’, meaning ‘to do/ act’.

• Aimed to counter acts of repression by Franco and the Spanish military.

• ‘Bietan Jarrai’ means the ‘struggle on two fronts’: political and military.

• Demands that Basques are allowed Self-determination.

…Blanco ’73, Franco ’75, but ETA continue.

• ETA assasinate Franco’s chosen successor, Luís Carrero Blanco, in 1973...

• ETA continue violence against the state, even after Franco’s death in 1975...

• ... which marked the transición ... from dictatorship to democracy.

• Attitudes towards Basque question did not change.

1996 – 2004: Two extremes in conflict

• Partido Popular government mandate.

• Refused to negociate with Basque nationalist parties… either moderate or radical.

• Illegalise Batasuna and shut down ‘Egunkaria’.

• ETA declared a cease-fire in 1998.

• Cease-fire ended 1999…• Losing support which

existed. • Batasuna refuses to

condemn ETA assasinations

.

ETA announce cease-fire, March 2006.

Part 3. Contemporary Basque Politics

• Ideological fracture: left-wing - right-wing 

• Identitarian fracture: nationalist - non-nationalist

• 4 main parties…

• PNV• Herri Batasuna (illegalised

by former PP government)• PSOE - present Spanish

government• PP

…

• PNV Partido Nacionalista Vasco

centre-right nationalists – ruling party in Basque government - proponents of the ‘Plan Ibarretxe’.

• Herri Batasuna (‘Unity’) leftist nationalist

organisation – illegalised and now uses EHAK or Basque Communist Party as electoral platform.

• PSOE centre/ centre-left Spanish

government: ‘Spanish Socialist and Workers Party’.

• PP Partido Popular

right-wing Spanish nationalist party with Francist roots.

Part 4. Contemporary causes of conflict?

1. Basque Independence.- Remember, 7 provinces, 2 states, 3 political units….- Very difficult to achieve – hence ‘Plan Ibarretxe’.

2. ETA still an issue.- PSOE under pressure.- ETA yet to disarm.

3. Spanish media.- Reductionist portrayal of Basque nationalism/ conflict.- Anti-Basque, uses the ‘terrorism’ card.

Part 5. The future for Euskal herria?

• PP no longer the ruling party in Spanish government…

• Will the PSOE negotiate with radical Basque nationalism?

• What will ETA do?

Conclusions…• Basque conflict is historical, sociological, political… and very

complex.

• Party politics has obscured the wide range of opinions and positions which the inhabitants of Euskal Herria hold.

• From an international perspective, how do we react to the idea of Basque independence?

• Are we afraid of a ‘Balkanised’ political map? Should we place the emphasis on respect and tolerance where sub-nationalisms are concerned?