Sometimes things do not evolve for the worse, as we often think, and it is worth stopping to reflect on our recent past and compare it with the current reality to realize that there are reasons for a certain optimism. One of the greatest victories of Spanish democracy has been putting an end to ETA terrorism. It seems that no one remembers, except for some who try to make political profit from it, the hard years that were experienced especially in Euskadi because of the actions of ETA that had a grip on Basque society.
I remembered it these days when I was following the three stages of the Tour de France that took place in Basque territory. It has been a public and prestigious success for the whole community. Lehendakari Iñigo Urkullu led an investment of 12 million euros, among several Basque institutions, in terms of expenses for the organization of the different stages, and already now, according to a first estimate by the Government itself, the return could amount to 120 million euros. In other words, the investment has multiplied tenfold.
In the past, when ETA and its entourage exercised a tight control over everything that happened in Euskadi, the few times that Gran Boucle tried to make an incursion into Basque territory it was the object of threats and even of ·location of explosive devices in the path of cyclists. And we have gone from that dark and mafia climate to now hearing a leader of EH Bildu, like Oskar Matute, make a public harangue in favor of the Tour. "Enjoy the race, encourage our cyclists and those who have come from other places and take advantage of the Tour showcase to show the rest of the world what Euskal Herria is," said the Abertzale leader. What a big difference between sending threatening letters to the then director of the Tour, Jean-Marie Leblanc, and peacefully asserting a certain political position.
That the Basque Country is today a normal community where its citizens can express themselves as they wish with complete freedom is a success for all. The Basque Government no longer has to deal with terrorist blackmail and can pedal towards the future without this serious problem.
