The PNV will start its internal process for the renewal of its managers today, October 17, 2024

The Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) starts this Thursday long internal process – will last almost six months – with which it will renew the territorial assemblies, the National Assembly, as well as the eight members of the EBB and its president. The Yeltzal bases will also debate and determine their political line for the coming years.

The Jeltzale formation faces this congressional process with a loss of support in the elections, although it has managed to keep the government of all the main Basque institutions, except the Vitoria City Council, and with EH Bildu ever closer. In this context, the PNV has already implemented an almost total replacement of its public positions, both in the deputations and in the Basque government and parliament.

Change is also predicted within the party, and at least two territorial assemblies – Bizkaia and Álava – will renew their presidents. In fact, the hitherto chairman of the PNV of Bizkaia, Itxaso Atutxaand that of Álava, José Antonio Susohave already announced their departure. In the absence of confirmation On his part – it is expected “soon” – this is also suggested Joseba Egibar could step back after 37 years at the helm of the GBB. In Navarra and Iparralde there will be no changes and Unai Hualde and Peio Etxeleku will continue to lead the NBB and IBB respectively.

Possible candidates

As for the possible candidates to succeed them, the former director of EVE said, Inigo Ansolasounds strong in Bizkaia, while the pools refer to it Jon Berriozabal in Álava and Maria Eugenia Arrizabalaga in Gipuzkoa. There could be more names as the PNV’s internal process is open and the bases can propose other candidates in the first phase. If they receive the necessary support, they will advance to the second round. The positions will be finalized at the meetings to be held between November 18 and 24.

Ansola (Markina, 1973), “a beautiful alderdikide” as Andoni Ortuzar himself described him, has extensive experience in institutional management (he was director of URA and EVE) and is the current president of the Territorial Assembly of Bizkaia and the PNV by Markina . He is also director of Mondragon Corporación.

Berriozabal (Durango, 1982) is from Biscay, although she has spent most of her political life in Álava. She served as parliamentarian for fifteen years and was Deputy Minister of Institutional Relations during Iñigo Urkullu’s third term. She is currently Provincial Delegate for Equality, Basque Country and Governance of Alava and also held the position of Secretary of the Araba Buru Batzar.

Arrizabalaga (Zumaia, 1967) started her political career in her hometown, where she was mayor. Currently a member of the EBB, she has just resigned as a parliamentarian to focus on her work as spokesperson in the Gipuzkoa regional government, which she has held since 2015.

In 2025, the EBB

In January next year, the Yeltzales will be confronted with the renewal of their highest body, the Euzkadi Buru Batzar (EBB). Andoni Ortuzar still gives no indication as to whether or not he will continue to lead the party. In an interview with Radio Euskadi, he assured that he had made the decision “a long time ago”, although he ruled out making it public so as not to “interfere” or “condition” the bases.

The new president and the eight elected boerukids will be declared during the election General Meeting which will be held in San Sebastián between March 29 and 30 next year.

The PNV will debate parallel to the renewal of office five documentsthree of a programmatic nature and two of an organizational and party model, with which it wants to determine its roadmap for the coming years.