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Basque Country independence

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Flag of the Basque Country

Basque independence is the principle and a movement for autonomy or self government for the Basque Country, independent of the Government of Spain (and the Government of France).

Constitutional background

1937 image of Guernica

After a period of self-government, the Basque government was abolished by the Spanish government in 1839.[1]

Under the Spanish Franco regime during the Spanish Civil War, the Basque language was banned, the rights of Basques were reduced, and the Basque city of Guernica was bombed on behalf of Franco by the Nazis.[1][2] In response, the Basque nationalist group, Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA) was established in 1959 which was responsible for the deaths of over 800 people.[1] The ETA came to an end in May 2018.[3]

Re-establishment of autonomy

Basque Country location and provinces in Europe

In 1978 a special status was given to "historic nationalities"; the Basque country, Catalonia and Galicia. Pre-autonomous bodies would write up a statute of autonomy which would be subject to a referendum.[4]

Basque leaders submitted a draft of the Statute of Gernika in the same year and the Spanish government then brought about a referendum in October 1979.[5] Basque self-governance returned in 1979.[6]

In accordance with he fuerros, the Basquee country (and Navarre) are permitted to collect their own taxes in a manner that generally conforms to Spanish tax collection.[4] During 1979-80, a “constitutional shield” was negotiated, where 6.24% of local tax would be sent to the Spanish central government.[7]

The Autonomous Community of the Basque Country (known as Euskadi since 1979) is made up of the herrialdes of Araba, Biscay, and Gipuzkoa. These three herrialdes have their own Assembly. Navarre has been constituted as a Foral Community since 1982.[8]

The other three herrialdes known as Iparralde) have since 2017 had their own government body of the Agglomeration community of the Basque Country.[8]

Political parties

The two main Basque political parties in the Southern Basque Country (Hegoalde) are the Basque Nationalist Party and Euskal Herria Bildu. Both advocate for an independent Basque country within a confederal relationship with Spain.[8]

In Navarre, the Basque Nationalist Party is one of the three parties of the Geroa Bai alliance (centre-left to centre-right) which advocates for the right for the right of Navarre to decide its own future.[8]

In French Basque Country (Iparralde), Euskal Herria Bai calls for sovereignty of the Basque Country.[8]

Public displays of support

Demonstration in Bilbao in solidarity with the 2017 Catalan independence referendum

In 1997, around 20,000 marched in San Sebastián calling for independence.[9]

In 2006, thousands of Basques marched in Bilbao for self determination rights for the Basque Country, November 11, 2006.[10]

In 2011, around 40,000 people marched through Bilbao calling for ETA prisoners to be moved closer to their homes and for an amnesty.[11]

In 2014, 110,000 people marched in support of Basque independence and bringing ETA prisoners to be held closer to home.[12]

In June 2018, a human chain was formed by tens of thousands of Basques, extending 202km.[13] Around 200,000 people formed the human chain calling for an indpendence referendum.[14]

In 2020, 65,000 people again marched to bring ETA prisoners closer to home.[15]

Polling

As of 2018, 15-17% in the Basque Country (autonomous community) supported independence.[13]

A 2020 poll showed that 41% support holding a referendum on Basque independence with and 31% opposing.[16]

A 2021 poll showed that 40.5% were in favour of an independent Basque state, with 29.2% against.[17]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "The Basques—facts and information". History. 2019-10-24. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  2. ^ "The Bombing of Guernica: Could WW2 Have Been Stopped That Day?". Sky HISTORY TV channel. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  3. ^ "The Basques—facts and information". History. 2019-10-24. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  4. ^ a b Schrijver, Frans (2006). Regionalism After Regionalisation: Spain, France and the United Kingdom. Amsterdam University Press. pp. 87–90. ISBN 978-90-5629-428-1.
  5. ^ Hills, George (1980). "Basque Autonomy: Will It Be Enough?". The World Today. 36 (9): 358–359. ISSN 0043-9134.
  6. ^ Kingsley, Patrick (2017-10-28). "As Catalonia Crisis Deepens, Many Basques Wary of New Independence Bid". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  7. ^ Gardner, David (2019-07-12). "Why Basques and Catalans see independence differently". Financial Times. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Basque Country". Nationalia (in Catalan). 2023-11-10. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  9. ^ Staff, WIRED. "Basques March". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  10. ^ "Basques want peace, maybe independence". Reuters. 2007-03-27. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  11. ^ Garma, Jorge; Press, Associated (2011-01-08). "Tens of thousands march in Spain's Basque region". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  12. ^ Gastaca, Juan Mari (2014-01-12). "Rare show of Basque nationalist unity in massive Bilbao march". EL PAÍS English. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  13. ^ a b "Spain's Basques form human chain calling for independence vote". BBC News. 2018-06-10. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  14. ^ Smith, Rory (2018-06-11). "125-mile-long human chain calls for Basque independence vote". CNN. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  15. ^ "Thousands march in Spain's Basque region for return of ETA prisoners". France 24. 2020-01-11. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  16. ^ Strategies, Redfield & Wilton (2020-07-29). "Spanish Respondents Deeply Divided About Franco's Legacy". Redfield & Wilton Strategies. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  17. ^ "2021-11 Survey". Telesforo Monzon. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
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