Top Issue 1-2024

10 May 2011

Resize: A A A Print

Lifting of Basque election ban welcomed by Sinn Féin

THE LIFTING of the Spanish Constitutional Court’s ban on Basque nationalist coalition Bildu contesting this month's regional and local elections has been welcomed by Sinn Féin.

Bildu can now field candidates in the 254 municipalities it was aiming to run in.

The decision overturns a Supreme Court ruling that Bildu, formed by members of Basque nationalist parties Euskal Askartasuna and Alternatiba and various independent left-wing Basque nationalist groups, included candidates "contaminated" by members of Batasuna.

Batasuna has been illegal since 2003 and described as the political wing of ETA.

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD said that the Spanish Supreme Court's original decision was a denial of civil and political rights to thousands of people of the Basque Country. He said:

It is undemocratic to ban any political party, in this case a party which actively promotes the need for a resolution to the Basque conflict through peaceful and democratic means.

I welcome the decision by Spanish Constitutional Court to reverse the decision to ban Bildu and to allow the party to run in upcoming elections.”

He added:

It is essential that the Spanish Government creates a spirit of inclusiveness if they wish to build upon the Basque's most recent political efforts for creating a lasting peace.

It is the right move towards helping build a permanent solution to the Basque conflict.

Follow us on Facebook

An Phoblacht on Twitter

An Phoblacht Podcast

An Phoblacht podcast advert2

Uncomfortable Conversations 

uncomfortable Conversations book2

An initiative for dialogue 

for reconciliation 

— — — — — — —

Contributions from key figures in the churches, academia and wider civic society as well as senior republican figures

GUE-NGL Latest Edition ad

An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland