Basque MPs vote on controversial autonomy plan
Basque MPs gathered today to vote on a hotly-contested plan that would turn their troubled region into a virtually sovereign state – the stiffest challenge to the Spanish government since the Basque country gained broad autonomy 25 years ago.
The blueprint masterminded by the regional president, Juan Jose Ibarretxe, would give the wealthy northern region even more say in running its affairs, such as its own court system and representation in international bodies like the European Union.
The plan is opposed by Spain’s two main parties, the ruling Socialists and opposition Popular Party, which say it is secessionist. Secession is banned by the Spanish constitution.
The proposal would amend the 1978 charter that granted the Basque region broad autonomy and make its new status that of a “free state” associated with Spain.
Ibarretxe began today’s debate in the 75-seat Basque regional parliament noting the turmoil the region has suffered for decades, with violence by the armed separatist group Eta claiming more than 800 lives since the late 1960s.
“We are not at all willing to accept a situation of violence and political stalemate,” Ibarretxe said. “After so many difficulties, the moment of truth has arrived.”
He added: “The essence of democracy and the key to the solution is the right of the Basque people to decide their own future.”
A vote on the proposal was expected in the afternoon after at least seven hours of debate.
Ibarretxe’s Basque Nationalist Party dominates a minority coalition government that controls 36 seats in the legislature. But it needs at least 38 votes for the proposal to pass, which would in theory open up a six-month period of negotiations with Spain’s central government.
Key to passage are seven MPs from Sozialista Abertzaleak, a pro-independence party that is considered the successor to the Batasuna party, banned last year by the Supreme Court on grounds it is part of Eta.
The new party has said it opposes the Ibarretxe plan on grounds it does not go far enough toward Basque independence. But last week it abstained in a procedural vote at the committee level, allowing the plan to come up for a vote Thursday’s full session of the legislature.
Ibarretxe’s plan says that if Eta violence halts, a referendum on the proposal will be held in the Basque region regardless of whether the Spanish government accepts it. The president has said he hopes the Basque people will show support for the plan by re-electing his party in regional elections due to be held by May of next year.
