But the most moderate lawmakers in the region’s ruling coalition privately say they could drop independence claims if they were given the tax autonomy that Basque Country enjoys. [43], The key dates are listed below (all times are CET):[15][33][54][55][56]. Where once unionist politicians needed bodyguards and car bombings were a constant fear, tourists now crowd the taverns of the old town and the world-famous Guggenheim museum. The Basque country is made up of the regions of Álava, Biscay and The table below lists voting intention estimates in reverse chronological order, showing the most recent first and using the dates when the survey fieldwork was done, as opposed to the date of publication. A poll released by Bilbao’s El Correo newspaper this week found that only 18 per cent of Basques support an independent state — an exceedingly low number by historical standards. [3] The decision of Catalan president Quim Torra on 29 January to announce a snap Catalan regional election to be held at some point throughout 2020 was said to have raised concerns within Urkullu's government, as the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) sought to prevent the next Basque regional election from being held simultaneously to prevent any interference from the Catalan political debate into the Basque campaign. Junio 2020)", "Estimación de voto (Estudio nº 3286. [3][4][5] Six days later, on 10 February, Urkullu confirmed the election for 5 April, seeking to distance himself from the convoluted political landscape in Catalonia after a 2020 election in the region was announced by Catalan president Quim Torra. Encuesta Ikertalde/GPS Gob. 13 June: Deadline for citizens entered in the CERA and for citizens temporarily absent from Spain to apply for voting. A Mariña in Galicia and Ordizia in the Basque Country are currently subject to special measures due to coronavirus outbreaks. The Basque human rights NGO Group Against Torture has published testimonies of serious torture from 62 people in 2008, most of whom were held incommunicado. Catalan flags hang from balconies alongside the Basque flag in a sign of solidarity, but Bilbao is prosperous and peaceful. 1 August: Deadline for elected members to be proclaimed by the relevant electoral commission. In the most sinister case, Jon Anza, an ETA militant and former prisoner, disappeared on April 18 after boarding a train travelling to France. [9][10] However, on 16 March it was announced that the vote would be postponed for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, shortly after Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's declaration of a nationwide lockdown in the country starting on the previous day.[2][11][12]. [26][27] Finally, Urkullu confirmed on 10 February the election date for 5 April, with the subsequent dissolution of parliament to be made official on the next day. Parties not reaching the threshold were not taken into consideration for seat distribution. 21 February: Deadline for parties and federations intending to enter into a coalition to inform the relevant electoral commission. Encuesta NC Report 02/03/2020: EH BILDU 22,8% (18/19), EAJ-PNV 36,9% (26/27), EP/UP 11,1% (8/9), PSE-EE 13,7% (11/12), PP+Cs 11,7% (9/10), VOX 1,3%", "Vox podría entrar en el Parlamento Vasco obteniendo un escaño por Álava", "Sondeos: la suma PP+Cs perdería un 42% de votos y 4 de sus 9 escaños en Euskadi", "Elecciones Autonómicas: previsión de voto (Marzo 2020)", "PAÍS VASCO. Our side is — and always will be — that of the 99%. Spain is seeking the extradition of Basque self-determination activists in exile in countries around the world. The Socialists, meanwhile, made no gains in either region, and were even beaten by the Galician Nationalist Bloc (BNG), which, along with leftist pro-Basque independence party EH Bildu, was the big winner of the night. [30] The table below shows the status of the parliamentary groups in the chamber at the time of dissolution. Additionally, Basques abroad were required to apply for voting before being permitted to vote, a system known as "begged" or expat vote (Spanish: Voto rogado). It is due to return 800 million euros to Madrid in what is known as an annual quota to cover the costs of national expenses such as defense or infrastructure. Fears that voting officials would refuse to turn up did not come to pass, and all of the voting stations were properly organized first thing on Sunday morning. After police harassed 27-year-old pro-independence deputy mayor Remi Aiestaran at the action, he collapsed and died from a heart attack. [6][7][8] The announcement of the Basque election prompted Galician president Alberto Núñez Feijóo to trigger a snap election in Galicia as well. The election decree was required to be issued no later than the twenty-fifth day prior to the date of expiry of parliament and published on the following day in the Official Gazette of the Basque Country (BOPV), with election day taking place on the fifty-fourth day from publication.