Euskal kultura

Municipal and Foral elections were held yesterday in the Basque Country – municipal and autonomous all over Spain – with important changes, particularly in Navarre. After dozens years of hegemony, the UPN in the Provincial Government, and according to what was said during the campaign, it seems that a new era is beginning when looking at the numbers of the alternative government that can be led by Uxue Barkos from Geroa Bai (9 seats) with the support of EH Bildu (8), Podemos (7) and Izquierda-Ezkerra (2), with the absolute majority of 26 seats.

Donostia-San Sebastian. May 24 was an exciting elections day, especially in Navarre, where after legislatures of hegemony of the right represented by the UPN, looms a government of a different tenor, since despite being the most voted party (15 seats) an alliance between Geroa Bai (9 seats), EH Bildu (8), Podemos (7) and Izquierda-Ezkerra (2) can get the absolute majority to the leader of Geroa Bai, Uxue Barkos. Even including the votes of the PP (2), and the Socialist Party (7) would not bring the UPN those necessary 26 votes.

It has been seen clearly, including by the El Diario de Navarra, the paper closest to the UPN and its current provincial government, as seen on the cover of today’s edition. If the cited parties do what was announced during the campaign, specifically Podemos and its current parliamentarians, this new provincial government is done creating a new historic period in Navarre that could also carry over to other institutions, like Pamplona’s town hall, even though this would depend on the post-electoral pacts that may be achieved.

Results of the Parlament elections in Navarre

UPN 15 (-4)
Geroa Bai 9 (+1)
Euskal Herria Bildu 8 (+1)
Podemos 7
PSN 7 (-2)
PP 2 (-2)
IE 2 (-1)

A newly minted party, Podemos, busted onto the parliament scene in Navarre and also did so significantly in the rest of the provincial territories that also elected their Batzar Nagusiak (General Assemblies, provincial parlaments) in Araba, Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa. The Podemos phenomenon could significantly reach other cities in Spain like Madrid or Barcelona where the alternate ballot would be led respectively by Manuela Carmena (in Madrid) and by social activist, Ada Colau (in Barcelona) making them the new mayors in these two institutions so far governed now by the PP in Madrid or the CiU in Barcelona.

In the Basque Country, a day of euphoria for the EAJ-PNV that ostensibly snatched positions, beating the lead of EH Bildu in Gipuzkoa in the Provincial Government as well as in Donostia’s town hall. The PNV maintains Bizkaia and Bilbao’s town hall. In Araba, Maroto (PP), current mayor of Vitoria-Gasteiz, revalidate their local position, bringing his political party its only joys, not only in the Basque Country but also throughout Spain where it lost a large part of its municipal an autonomous power, thanks to agreements between the platforms, emerging parties and the Socialist Party.

EH Bildu also enjoyed good results in Navarre losing ground in Gipuzkoa where it loses the Provincial Government and the mayor hood of Donostia.

The Socialist Party failed in general, with some recuperation in Gipuzkoa, now in second position in Donostia ahead of EH Bildu, or recuperating some municipality historically of its color like Pasaia or Lasarte, and losing Barakaldo.

The entrance of Podemos on the electoral scene is very relevant, penetrating all four territories. The presence of Irabazi, by the left; the disappearance of UPyD; the Citizens Party didn’t get results in Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa or Navarre and one seat in Araba's Batzar Nagusiak, while in Spain it busts in with force.

Results

GIPUZKOA

Batzar Nagusiak-Juntas Generales – Provincial Parliament

-EAJ-PNV 18 seats (+4)
-EH Bildu 17 (-6)
-PSE 9 (-1)
-Podemos 6
-PP 1 (-3)

Donostiako Udala-Ayuntamiento de San Sebastián – Donostia’s Town Hall

-EAJ-PNV 9 (+3)
-PSE 7 (=)
-EH Bildu 6 (-2)
-PP 3 (-3)
Irabazi 2

BIZKAIA

Batzar Nagusiak-Juntas Generales – Provincial Parliament

-EAJ-PNV 23 (+1)
-EH Bildu 11 (-1)
-PSE 7 (-2)
-Podemos 6
-PP 4 (-4)

Bilboko Udala-Ayuntamiento de Bilbao – Bilbao’s Town Hall

-EAJ-PNV 13 (-2)
-EH Bildu 4 (=)
-PSE 4 (=)
-PP 4 (-2)
Udal Berri 2
-Sí se puede 2

ARABA

Batzar Nagusiak-Juntas Generales – Provincial Parliament