Interview with Bingen Zupiria, spokesperson for the Basque government in Euskadi Irratia, on January 31, 2024

Following Junts’ decision not to support the amnesty bill in the Congress of Deputies, Bingen Zupiriabelieves that “instability” will affect all policies of the Spanish government and could delay decisions affecting the Basque government.

The spokesperson for the Basque government has acknowledged that the amnesty law affects relations between the Basque and Spanish governments. On the one hand, because the amnesty draws ‘all the attention’ of the media and politicians, and on the other hand, because ‘this situation of instability’ already influences the policies of the Spanish executive. According to him, it also affects “some decisions that need to be taken in the relationship with the Basque government, because there is a risk that they will be postponed.”

In an interview with Euskadi Irratia, Zupiria emphasized that he is “surprised” by Junts’ rejection of the amnesty law because he had not expected it. “The Lehendakari said from the beginning that the sustainability of the government of Spain and its governability had a major problem, namely that Pedro Sánchez needs the positive votes of everyone, and yesterday that was seen with the decision passed by Junts with the Law of Amnesty, which will not be something easy,” he assured.

Regarding the agreement for the transfer to the Basque Autonomous Community of three powers (commuter railways, homologation and validation of foreign diplomas and studies, and reception of immigration), Zupiria responded that the Basque Government’s commitment is to “continue work and to meet and enforce the obligations that we have to fulfill within the deadlines that we have set. And it is worth remembering that the PNV and the PSOE agreed in the investment agreement that these transfers would be made within three months would take place.