Spain’s Socialists to grant more autonomy to Basque Country in exchange for support

By Alyssa McMurtry

OVIEDO, Spain (AA) – Spain’s Socialist Party signed a deal with the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) on Friday that promises to give the northern region of Spain more autonomy in exchange for their political backing for a left-wing government.

The pact officially means that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has the backing of the absolute majority in Spain’s parliament, virtually guaranteeing that he will be able to form a government.

Similar to the agreements struck with Catalan nationalist parties, this deal promises to give the Basque Country more power. The agreement mentions more control of its railway service, labor force, more presence in international forums, and finding formulas to recognize the Basque Country as “a nation" within Spain.

On Friday, the Socialist Party also announced a deal with the smaller party from the Canary Islands, which ensures Sanchez’s coalition government will win 179 votes in the parliament to form a government — three more than the absolute majority.

July’s national elections resulted in a highly fractured parliament, meaning parties had to commit to tough negotiations or force voters to return to the polls. And a recent survey for El Pais revealed that fresh elections would produce similar results, with no clear majorities.

However, members of Spain’s right-wing nationalist bloc are furious about the concessions made to regional parties. The most controversial of which is the promise to grant amnesty to Catalan activists and politicians who face criminal charges for their roles in the region’s independence push.

Spain’s left-wing bloc says the deals offer a political solution to a political problem, paving the way to a better country and more dialogue. The country’s right says it undermines the country’s democracy and rule of law.

The amnesty deal has provoked protests all week in front of Socialist Party headquarters.

On Thursday night, hours after the deal was solidified, 24 people were arrested and seven police were injured in Madrid after violent protestors, some chanting fascist and racist slogans, clashed with authorities. This was the third night of riots after far-right party Vox called for “permanent mobilization.”

On Friday morning, two police unions called a protest in Barcelona against amnesty. Around 50 people showed up.

While police in Madrid are bracing for more riots on Friday night, the conservative Popular Party has called for mass mobilizations around Spain on Saturday afternoon.

Spanish media report that the debates for government formation are expected to begin next Wednesday and that the final investiture vote will be on Thursday.