The Basque agenda, stimulating the economy and post-electoral agreements

With ten days to go until the elections to the Spanish Parliament on July 23, the political parties of the Autonomous Community of Euskadi have explained and discussed their proposals in the “Hauteskunde Debatea” of the EITB group. Aitor Estebancandidate for the PNV congress for Bizkaia; Maria Luisa Garcia Gurrutxagacandidate for the PSE-EE Congress for Gipuzkoa; Mertxe AizpuruaEH Bildu Congress candidate for Gipuzkoa; Lander Martinezcandidate for the Sumar Congress for Bizkaia, and Laura Garridocandidate for the PP Congress for Álava, participated in a televised debate led by the journalist Nerea Reparaz.

Three are the main topics covered in a program that lasted about an hour: the Basque agenda, boosting the economy and post-electoral agreements and coalitions. At the beginning of each block, each candidate presented their party’s proposal in 30 seconds, and immediately afterwards they exchanged views, without significant discussion. The only points of contention have arisen as a result of the differing opinions on the transfers and the European Next Generation funds. As on other occasions, they ended with “the golden minute” to ask citizens to vote.

The Basque agenda: the priorities of the Basque parties in Madrid

Aitor Esteban has started the round on the Basque calendar. In his words, the priorities of the PNV in Madrid will be “to defend self-government, to stimulate the economy and to cooperate in the creation of laws in defense of human rights”. “The transfers have come about thanks to us,” he explained.

For her part, Maria Luisa García Gurrutxaga noted that “the PSOE and the government of Sánchez will be the guarantor of the Basque agenda” and that the measures taken by “the progressive government” this last legislature “to manage the day-to-day improving” citizens” have also served to improve the quality of life in Euskadi. “Isn’t that the Basque agenda?” he asked.

Meanwhile, Mertxe Aizpurua has explained that her coalition’s priority is to expand and defend the rights and freedoms of Basque citizens. For this, he says, it is essential “that the institutions are at the service of the people”. In this sense, he has asked for more funding for the town halls “the institutions closest to the citizenry”.

Lander Martínez has assured that his party’s priority is to facilitate and improve people’s lives and that his policies will move in that direction, also looking at the Basque Country. Likewise, he has mentioned the transfers and has defended the importance of having an “adequate interlocutor” in Spain’s government to bring about the transfer of powers. “With the PP and VOX that will be impossible,” he concluded.

However, Laura Garrido has stressed that “when the PP has ruled, the Basques have done well”. He has mentioned the high-speed train, economic growth and civil security as spearheads. He has mentioned “sanchismo” in all his speeches and assured that this is the example of “not speaking and lying”.

Stimulating the economy: which aspects should be promoted?

The person responsible for opening the economic bloc has been the candidate of the PSE-EE. After mentioning the crises caused by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, he highlighted the measures taken by the socialists to face these crises, for example the files on labor regulations.

The representative of EH Bildu wanted to emphasize the need to take care of “family economies”, without forgetting the industry. In this sense, he has claimed decent wages and social justice, and has raised the need to develop a new model for Basque affairs. He assures that developing a “new industrial law” is a priority. He concluded by stating that “you have to choose between the interests of individuals and families or those of the elites and multinationals”.

Martínez has also wanted to put people at the center of the economy and has, among other things, “bet on a new industry”. He has pointed to “the social improvements” achieved in the last legislature, “thanks to Labor Minister Yolanda Díaz.”

The popular candidate has also spoken of “sanchism” in the economic bloc. He has confirmed that Sánchez’s policies have worsened the economic situation and that the Basque Country is not an attractive community for companies today. He accuses the PNV of not using the resources offered by the Economic Agreement.

Esteban has replied that the economic agreement and the quotas are guaranteed thanks to the work of his party in Madrid. The PNV candidate has also spoken about European funds, assuring that while they are “very important”, the “bureaucracy is complicated” and he believes they should be managed from the Basque Country.

Agreements and coalitions: what is each party ready for?

At the end of the election room, they discussed the post-electoral agreements and explained their intentions. EH Bildu wanted to make it clear that his priority is to close the door to the possibilities of governing for the right. “It doesn’t matter if it’s PP or PP-VOX”, these options “are not good for Euskal Herria”.

Martínez also wanted to clarify that they will try to “form a progressive government, with Díaz at the helm”. In his words, “the votes of the PNV and EH Bildu can act as intermediaries”, but “a progressive party within the government will be needed to implement Basque issues”.

Garrido, for his part, is very clear that the PP will win the election with an absolute majority and that it will be able to govern without anyone’s help. When asked if they agree with VOX, he replied that he is not considering studying that scenario because “we will get the necessary majority”.

For his part, Esteban has assured that the PNV “is nobody’s stick” and that the 23J elections should not be seen as a “competition between Sánchez and Feijoó”. “In the next four years, the interests of the Basque Country are at stake and it is necessary to decide who will defend the Basque Country’s vote in Madrid,” he declared. He also assured that “the PNV will not sign anything related to VOX nor issue a blank check. The Basque agenda will have to be negotiated.”

Finally, according to the socialist candidate, her party will “come out to win” in these elections and will work to form a progressive government, “always with a program agreement”.