The PNV is one of the key pieces of the investiture puzzle whose fit is still difficult for the socialists. The PSOE has left the agreement with this formation until the end of the negotiation, and the truth is that the Jeltzales are not willing to rush to give their 'yes' to Sánchez. Demanded by the Basque pre-electoral context and chastened after the failures of the last legislature, the Basque nationalists seek an ambitious agreement fundamentally around three axes: full compliance with the Statute of Gernika, Basque national recognition and, thirdly, the commitment of the central Executive in relation to certain infrastructures.
The negotiation is very marked by the precedents of the last legislature. The balance regarding the degree of compliance with the previous legislative agreement is not positive and the negotiation is taking place in a context of mistrust that did not exist four years ago. The PNV, however, does not contemplate the requirement of mediation to guarantee the agreements and simply warns that they did not tolerate non-compliance, hence their repeated appeals that Sánchez will need “all the votes all the time.”
In this climate of suspicion, the Jeltzales are looking for an agreement that will allow them, a few months before the Basque elections and with EH Bildu on their heels, to recover one of their historical assets: the role of achiever who looks after Basque interests in Madrid. Aitor Esteban is leading the negotiation, in coordination with three leaders of the PNV Executive: its president, Andoni Ortuzar; Joseba Aurrekoetxea; and Koldo Mediavilla. The first issue to negotiate, unavoidable for Basque nationalists, is full compliance with the Statute of Gernika, of 1979.
Last term, a schedule was agreed that included the deadlines for the transfers of the thirty pending powers; however, only five were closed. The PNV now demands an “exclusive yes” to the change of hands of the around 25 pending powers, a section that includes the transfer of the management of Social Security. It is the most compromised point and it remains to be seen how they channel an agreement acceptable to both parties.
The jeltzales have also brought to the negotiation “the recognition of the Basque national reality.” Four years ago it was one of the compromised points of the negotiation and was channeled through a somewhat diffuse commitment that required an ambiguous wording that spoke of “adapting the structure of the State to the recognition of territorial identities.” The PNV has sought coordination with Junts on this point, although each formation will seal a particular agreement. The Jeltzales, finally, seek commitments in matters of investment and infrastructure, with the arrival of high speed to Euskadi and its connection with Europe as priority objectives.
The possibility that the PNV can get up from the table is ruled out. It would lead to a repeat election that is politically unviable for their interests. The Jeltzales, in any case, complain that it has started “so late” if an imminent investiture is sought and they criticize that, for example, they have not yet been given the text of the Amnesty Law. They emphasize that they are in no hurry, although they recognize that an agreement can be reached at any time.
