the basque political conflict
DESCRIPTION
The Basque Political Conflict. Contents…. Geographical location Historical overview Contemporary Basque politics Contemporary causes of conflict The future? Conclusions. ‘Euskal Herria’ – 7 Basque Provinces…. French Basque Country … Ipparalde. Lapurdi / Labourd - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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?