The Basque elections will take very little time to move on to the post-electoral pacts and the formation of the new Basque government, which Imanol Pradales will most likely preside over. Neither the PNV, which won in votes, but has reasons for reflection, nor EH Bildu, which was on the verge of achieving its goal of winning seats, have the intention of expanding their post-election analysis, at least publicly. The Jeltzales, in fact, made a move yesterday, recognizing the evidence that in a few days talks will begin with the socialists and assuming that the PSE will demand more power in the next Basque executive. The socialists, in fact, raised their hands shortly after to demand more power.
The president of the PNV in Bizkaia, Itxaso Atutxa, made it clear that the PSE is the “preferred partner” and that its objective is to agree on a “plural government”, capable of reaching agreements with other parties as well. From there, questioned about the distribution of power in the next executive, she acknowledged that she would understand that, after improving its results, the PSE asked for greater representation in the Basque government to comply, since “they always do it.” .
Specifically, the socialists improved their percentage of votes by just half a point compared to 2020, although they managed to make the most of that slight increase in support, adding two seats and reaching 12 parliamentarians, compared to the 27 that the PNV and EH Bildu obtained. . The last legislature, the correlation of forces was 31 seats for the PNV and 10 for the socialists, something that translated into the jeltzales holding, in addition to the lehendakaritza, eight departments, while the socialists managed three departments: Labor and Employment ; Territorial Planning, Housing and Transportation; and, thirdly, Tourism, Commerce and Consumption.
The leader of the PSE, Eneko Andueza, also took advantage of the election day to position himself. “The wear and tear of the PNV has been evident. Our position of strength is greater, and I hope and wish that it will be reflected in the next government,” he noted.
From now on, therefore, a negotiation process begins between the PNV and PSE that should lead to the signing of a legislative agreement for the investiture of Imanol Pradales. The distribution of power in the next executive and the government program will be the main issues to be discussed.
In the two previous elections, both in 2016 and 2020, two months passed between the elections and the election of the lehendakari, so it would be logical that Pradales could be sworn in during the month of June. The only legal deadline for the election of a lehendakari is set by the 60 days that can elapse, at most, from the celebration of the first investiture plenary session. This session is not determined by a specific period, although it must be the third to be held after a first constitutive plenary session and a second session to approve a ruling on incompatibilities.
A scenario in which Pradales’ investiture process could be derailed seems extremely unlikely, and Pello Otxandiano, EH Bildu candidate, took for granted the agreement that closes the door: “The PSE’s position is clear and it is not worth it.” try to modify it.” In any case, the nationalist leader also sent a message to the PNV: “Until now there was a political party that structured the institutional sphere and held clear and inescapable hegemony. And today there are two nationalist political forces that look each other in the eyes.”
