Urkullu, the ten years of the calm leader

The end of ETA's violence inaugurated a new political cycle in the Basque Country in which, among all its protagonists, a proper name has stood out: Iñigo Urkullu.

Thomas Osborne
Thomas Osborne
16 December 2022 Friday 18:31
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Urkullu, the ten years of the calm leader

The end of ETA's violence inaugurated a new political cycle in the Basque Country in which, among all its protagonists, a proper name has stood out: Iñigo Urkullu. Since he was sworn in for the first time as lehendakari, ten years ago, he has opted to consolidate an image of moderation and a position of centrality, based on the recovery of the pact with the PSE, which has allowed him to repeat successive electoral successes and a approval, perhaps not enthusiastic, but the majority among Basque society. Now, he is heading towards the final stretch of his term, possibly his last year and a half in the political front line, with the challenge of avoiding complacency and avoiding the failures that can be seen in key areas of self-government such as health.

The latest Basque Sociometer offers eloquent data on the degree of conformity that the jeltzale politician arouses. According to this study, 94% of the PNV voters approve him; 86% of those in the PSE; 75% of those of the PP; 74% of those from Vox; 68% of those of Podemos; and 53% of those of EH Bildu. To understand these data, which are unusual in politics, it is necessary to look at both the protagonist himself and the political moment that he has had to manage.

As for Iñigo Urkullu himself, it has been written to an exaggeration about his meticulous character at work, sober and serious, far from the noise and fuss of current politics. These characteristics, which those who know him corroborate and his detractors add other names such as gray or bland, have become his brand image and have been appreciated by a Basque society immersed in a very particular political and social moment.

The context, therefore, explains the success of the bet. Urkullu's ten years have been marked, globally, by economic fluctuations and, locally, by the end of terrorism. The definitive cessation of the violence led to the return to legality of the nationalist left, in coalition with Eusko Alkartasuna and Alternatiba. Its electoral irruption in 2011 was brilliant, both in the municipal and regional elections and in the general ones, in which the Amaiur brand surpassed the PNV. There were not a few who predicted that EH Bildu was destined to lead the new time without violence, and, nevertheless, Urkullu achieved an incontestable victory in his first appointment with the polls, in the fall of 2012.

With the perspective of these ten years, it is revealing to appreciate how the PNV based the campaign on the same values ​​that have accompanied the Urkullu lehendakari in this decade. Then, professionals from various fields appealed to the reliability of the candidate: work, seriousness or, in the words of a professor who participated in the campaign, a leader who "gets us out of trouble", even if "he does not cause a permanent smile". In a society that had just suffered the scourge of violence and immersed in a severe economic crisis, the PNV was committed to management, sober leadership and to recover centrality. In some way, it also amended the Ibarretxe stage (1999-2009), conditioned by the proposal for a new status and which was followed by the government of Patxi López (2009-2012).

That triumph has marked the last 10 years of Basque politics. Accompanied by Andoni Ortuzar at the head of the party and with Aitor Esteban as the man in Madrid, the PNV has found stability in the recovery of the pact with the PSE, although without renouncing agreements beyond the Socialists, while at the same time pulling unlimited pragmatism in Madrid, where he came to an understanding with Rajoy and is understood, not without tension, with Pedro Sánchez.

The debate on self-government has appeared and disappeared like the Guadiana of the lehendakari's political agenda, who tried to mediate at the peak of the process, although keeping his distance from the independence movement. In parallel, Urkullu has opened an abyss in the relationship with EH Bildu, showing himself demanding in demanding a critical reading of the past and, in this matter, has sought to get closer to the groups of victims, but maintaining his own agenda in the field of peace. and coexistence.

Urkullu has exhibited a social profile in the most severe moments of the successive economic fluctuations (crisis, pandemic...) and has seen how economic leaders, grouped around the Zedarriak forum, criticized the fact that "the social discourse of distribution of wealth” versus “economic progress and wealth creation”.

Euskadi, in any case, is far from being an oasis, and the "Basque model of sustainable human development" to which the lehendakari appeals shows cracks. The Basque Health Service-Osakidetza is experiencing an evident crisis and the high rate of school segregation requires fine-tuning with the upcoming Education Law. The same Sociómetro that reflects a transversal approval of Urkullu, also reflects concern about these issues, job insecurity or access to housing. It will be in matters of this nature that the solvency of his calm leadership is finally put to the test.