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Ethnopolitics Formerly Global Review of Ethnopolitics Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/title~content=t713735027 Renegotiating Sovereignty: Basque Nationalism and the Rise and Fall of the Ibarretxe Plan

To link to this article: DOI: 10.1080/17449050600865503 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17449050600865503

Full terms and conditions of use: http://www.informaworld.com/terms-and-conditions-of-access.pdf This article maybe used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, re-distribution, re-selling, loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material. © Taylor and Francis 2007 of Christian Democrat persuasion; Eusko 2006 The Editor of Ethnopolitics 1 # Ibarretxe, PNV president of the regional govern- ´ 040347–18 = 06 = : Michael Keatign, Department of Political and Social Sciences, European University 1744-9065 Online = 17449050600865503 Many minority nationalist movements in Europe are abandoning the search for = BSTRACT ment—was an attempt tothe resolve relationship political conflict between in region,and the state civic Basque and identity. Country Europe by and reassessing re-examining notions of national Ethnopolitics, Vol. 5, No. 4, 347–364, November 2006 Alkartasuna (EA), a 1980sbut breakaway a from more the centre-left PNVEB). with orientation; The similar and Plan—named nationalist the after aspirations post-communist Juan United Jose Left (Ezker Batua or DOI: 10.1080 Institute, Badia Fiesolana, 50016 San Domenico di Fiesole,1744-9057 Italy. Print Email: [email protected]. Correspondence Address In December 2004 theproposal for parliament a ‘New of Political Spain’s Statute’the for Basque the creation region, Country of the so-called a approved Ibarretxe Basquemarily a Plan, of State involving controversial symbolic, ‘freely rather than associated’ practical, withby significance, Spain. given Spain’s the This opposition central development to wasregion, the government. proposal pri- by It forcing nonetheless notseries only created of politicians a issues but new also relatingstatute political was ordinary to put citizens dynamic forward nationality, to by inParty sovereignty the take the three (Partido and a parties democratic Nacionalista position in on the representation. Vasco ruling a The or coalition, the PNV) Basque Nationalist A MICHAEL KEATING & ZOE BRAY European University Institute, San Domenico di Fiesole, Italy Renegotiating Sovereignty: Basque Nationalism and the RiseIbarretxe and Plan Fall of the independent statehood,stance, embracing emphasizing European sharedescaping sovereignty the integration, and classical difficulty and dividedthis of powers. aligning adopting direction, nations This withparliament provides a drawing states. in a Basque 2004 ‘post-sovereigntist’ on nationalism promising buteffort has way subsequently evolved earlier to rejected of in formulate by traditions.was Spain’s such in national a The parliament, large third wasthe part Ibarretxe way presented political to between as context, Plan, reaffirm but an separatismsovereignty, actors’ also approved and language to the unionism. the of by nation powerphase Yet traditional of but the ironically sovereignty. and it doctrinal, This its still ideological boundaries. Basque is faces and effect National great symbolic partly difficulties issues thanks self-determination in related to principle to may as well have as in entered practice. a new

Downloaded By: [Keating, Michael] At: 07:36 24 January 2007 ol or PSOE) and the conserva- ˜ becois has undertaken repeated experiments ´ it challenged the basis of Spanish state sovereignty as enshrined 2 M. Keating & Z. Bray The questions that it raised are still open, however, and the debate that it engendered The first is the idea of post-sovereignty, referring not to the end of sovereignty, but to its The Plan was presented in September 2002 as the fruit of exhaustive reflection on in the constitutiontheir of relationship 1978 with byparties, the claiming the Spanish Socialist the Party state. (Partido righttive Socialista Dismissed Obrero for Espan by Popular residents Spain’s Party ofnegotiable, two Euskadi the (Partido principal Plan to political Popular was2005. vote Following rejected or Basque on regional by elections PP), in thelost April votes, Spanish as 2005, in the parliament, which unconstitutional Plan the or went PNV–EA and Cortes, into coalition limbo. on therefore 1offers non- February important insights into issuesof any of plurinational nationalism democratic and polity.nationality These identification concern and that sovereignty identity; lie and and at self-determination; terpreted borders the in and heart recent boundaries. years Each toations of allow these compete greater issues pluralism with has and traditionalidentity been diversity; monist and yet rein- borders these doctrines in new about the interpret- ideas nation-state. the about The combination resolving Ibarretxe of Plan, nationalityspirit like sovereignty, conflicts, of other offers pragmatic ‘post-sovereigntist’ compromise. a Yet set thetrinal, of debate ideological on concrete it or proposals focused symbolic on mostlyand often issues in highly symbolic in abstract, a the doc- issues three shouldor fields. not We symbolism). be argue In dismissed thatmore as these politics complex ideological second-order substantive the issues matters thatso ideological (‘mere’ cannot in ideology and otherwise the be realm the addressed.questions of This nationalism, symbolic about is where identity are particularly they andfall are often the of often the shorthand location summary Ibarretxe indicators of for Plan of political is fundamental authority. important for Examining the the light riseState it and Transformations, sheds Europe on and these the deeper Nationalities questions. The Question Ibarretxe Plan’s proposalsSpain for resemble a attempts semi-independent by Basque otherthrough nationalist entity a movements linked ‘third to loosely way’ resolve between with nationalities classicstate questions statehood on on the the one other. handwith and formulations In devolution of within Canada ‘sovereignty-association’ the or the partnershipnow with Parti the under Que federal the government, economicEurope framework stateless of nations have theand been North the encouraged transformation American of by Free the thework nation-state Trade for twin to new Agreement. use phenomena forms In of the of shared emerging‘third and globalization European way’ divided order sovereignty a as (Keating, number a 2001a; of frame- 2004). strands Within this is combined, whichtransformation vary through according detachment to from thepoint specific the of cases. state. sovereignty, In thethe the state, EU new but and thinking rather the therea there stateless is realm are nation of not shared multiple (MacCormick, one gration and points, 1999; mixed not Tierney, including sovereignty 2004). the as enablesThis Seeing state, nationalists an the to has infringement embrace EU European of the as inte- sovereignty additional but political as advantage an of opportunity for allowing enlarging the it. proponents to fend off 348 Basque sovereignty involving aand wide political array parties of not civilsecession represented groups, from regional in Spain, unions, the associations regional parliament. Although not calling for

Downloaded By: [Keating, Michael] At: 07:36 24 January 2007 349 ., 2003). Regions after this manner are et al Basque Nationalism and the Rise and Fall of the Ibarretxe Plan This new conception of sovereignty competes with traditional understandings in which A second strand is the idea that citizens can have multiple political identifications (with Under such circumstances, of course, nationalists will tend to privilege identification A third strand derives from the adoption by a growing number of nationalist movements accusations of separatism and insularitythan and their adversaries to among portray the themselvesdynamic state as one elites. more in They cosmopolitan which can different pointlarger forms out of European that identities their identity are nationalism backed recognized isminority under a by nationalism the European umbrella integrates institutions of itself a Europe’s (Keating, into 2001c). to a In new negotiate thislooking order, to way its the adapting future, own but its alsolist language of demands movements reinterpreting to the that for that past, have as of periods concessions. in discovered (Puig, the a case It 1998; of ‘usable Keating, the is past’ many 2001a). nationa- of not divided only sovereigntythere from a can earlier only matter beunderstanding of one does locus not of meanlevels ultimate that authority of competences (Walker, cannot government 2003).must be and While redistributed emanate entrenched the among traditional from different inbecomes a that the constitution, constitution. mainactual it This focus powers. does Again, doctrinal of we meanthere or debate, see that was the ideological quite all relatively effect aside point in little powers side Quebec. difference on from often At between the any the then one theLiberal time proposed hand powers of Party and proposed redistribution the those on 1995 byseemingly of proposed referendum the abstruse the by question sovereigntist the other, of whether more but the decentralist Quebec there wing people ofthe were was nation, the or the a could Quebec state be and massiveethnographic sovereign. Europe) and which doctrinal are anthropological not difference studiescollective necessarily in about have notions conflict of shown, with the identity, citizens, eachdifferent identify other. in moments As with their in different construction time. ideas,in of They symbols this may, and case, for collectivitiescertain example, the at symbols, identify Basque such with nation, as anhowever, and the idea adopt Basque of they language, as the may inSpanish nation, part one of identify or set their of with European,symbols. expression contexts. In other In of with other such their notions a contexts, casesuse identity not of of corresponding markers only belonging, adoption expressing isdifferently cultural, by for identity of different territorial fluid individuals example or another but (Bray, political French, the 2004). range differences boundaries can of resulting bewith from relevant interpreted the the nation, regardingis the not necessarily other zero-sum identifications andlism as may attachments serve more may to reinforce instrumental. legitimate eachit Europe, Yet other. by a the serving Minority game to local nationa- mediateassimilated meaning the as European which an project and integral the give partnau, state 1999). of The the cannot new nationalist context supply. ideologyent may itself Indeed, also and (McCrone, enable Europeanism citizens 1998; changing of Guiber- maybuilding a degrees and territory even tolerance of to of diversity. be express In identification, theirary this differ- way so drawing political projects allowing can based on remainimplications a symbolic on bound- appropriately the certain part loose, of flexibility those allowing who in are for called nation upon a to free acceptof them ‘new interpretation or regionalism’ participate (Keating, of in 1998) them. in their around which a territorial model systems of of action developmentpolitical are combining constructed the in economic, the different social, the ways cultural and (Keating the

Downloaded By: [Keating, Michael] At: 07:36 24 January 2007 , thereby shifting the locus of sovereignty and re-situating significance M. Keating & Z. Bray Such opportunities, while falling short of the aspirations of nationalist movements for a To sum up: while nationalism has traditionally been about fixing borders, it is now The Ibarretxe Plan has elements in common with the Northern Ireland Good Friday constructed, first, as systemsnew of networks action and of then, para-diplomacy,action sometimes, are without as territorial, the actors but themselves needwith without within the to which fixed become territory cultural, states. hasdifferent political Such been and territorial institutional systems endowed imaginations, boundaries of indaries, and so the social that past. the systems cultural Rather,diction can nation or citizens may have the can not economic slightly entirely adoptherald region. correspond different slightly This the to boun- is advent the not administrative ofopen-ended to juris- non-territorial advocate conception self-government: the ‘end rather, of1996). of it Within territory’ territory reflects thesis the the or commonrise complex developing to to and in European a polity modernMarks, debate such 2001; on political Jeffery, territorial the 2000; geography restructuring Bache Europe & has (Paasi, of Flinders, given the 2004). real Regions role in or the ‘multilevel European polity,reconfigured governance’ provide as support (Hooghe for a the & conceptdoctrinal union of challenge the of asymmetrical to state, the nationsnecessarily nation-state, (or centralization. based The nations as plurinationalof it and state hosting is regions). is several on This multinational the nationalof not notion represents nationality groups only differs of (Keating, a from in uniformity, 2001a). one major regions the if part It there of sense not is the may a territory be tonation state a may another: in be in single nested the which within identity central, a thedefinition combining or state, meaning of dominant, which state may nationality and or will may nation,within not allow the while itself be these state elsewhere a discrepant may nation. the of A be conceptions permissive the accompanied to state by coexist. given asymmetrypara-diplomatic Asymmetry a in activities. external special policy, place with in some European parts institutions, orprecisely allowed the a general widerthat recognition range enables of of an stateof imaginative borders those and borders. in Initially functional the contemporary Ibarretxeeignty loosening Plan Europe, in presented of a Spain ironically, challenge territory to assought and conceptions part of to the sover- of challenge permeability a boundaries,new wider both concepts process physical such of and as statedoing a symbolic, transformation so, Basque introducing, in however, nationality the for itto of EU example, did change equal context. not their It status attempt with to Spanish change nationality. physical In borders. Instead, it attempted the debate at a widerno European longer level. need In to such correspond a to context, fixed cultural physical andAgreement, borders political or which boundaries states. providedNorthern inspiration Ireland’s repeated for effortscome the at up bridging Basque against the process issueSpanish those of state (Mees, who sovereignty, elites have 2003). however, andof an As it the those extremist interest has responsible in group in ETA. for Despiteters, reinforcing the the it initial boundaries, has terrorist expectations of become including violence the increasinglythe Ibarretxe both that evident Plan’s sort is that promo- of the aspirations the European that hallmark state avenue it as is embodies. the not This only leaves a practical negotiationof fruitful channel nationalists at one for in the for their Catalonia level advancement. to of obtain Whilethe recognition the similar for time Spanish efforts a on of differentiated the national writing part status to seem at be making greater progress, in part because of the absence of the 350

Downloaded By: [Keating, Michael] At: 07:36 24 January 2007 351 ) of the Antonio ´ as privileges fueros fueros on, 1998; Herrero de ˜ tradition, based on the historic rights ( , under which the provinces of the Basque Country foral mico ´ Basque Nationalism and the Rise and Fall of the Ibarretxe Plan in Vizcaya and Guipuzcoa, he allowed them to continue in Alava and concierto econo tradition emphasizes limited sovereignty and negotiation. It has often been con- fueros foral on & Lluch, 1998). ˜ One of these strands is the Another tradition is of radical separatism. Basque nationalism bloomed in a time of From an early stage some of this ambivalence was managed through support for various terrorism that marksentrenched state the elites. Basqueinfluential, How not Country, Spain only in these eventually other resolves too European countries these have but issues at sparked is aNationalism broader likely opposition in level to the world-wide. from Basque prove Country Basque nationalism has been subjectits to supposed a separatist, lot extremist of ormovement stereotypical exclusivist and comment, nature. tradition often In which focusing fact, cannot on itdiverse be is strands fully an understood (Gurrutxaga, extremely without 1996). complex an understanding of its Basque provinces within the kingdomsarchs of had Castile to and then swearcentury Spain, to which following maintain. successive Most mon- dynasticnotably of conflicts, these the were although abolishedraise some in their the own survived course taxesthese into of and the pass the 19th on 20th aNavarre share century, (which to had thewere Spanish supported restored state. the with While the insurgents Francothey return represent suspended in original of the and democracy, inalienableThe civil although rights or a war). are debate Some the continuesdemned gift of as as of inherently Spain’s these to 1978 conservative whether rights the Constitution. but case in recent for years historic a rights literature in has a appeared democratic restating polity (Herrero de Min major economic and social changeof provoked by Vizcaya the and rapid the industrialization resultingurban of clashes the life, province between and tradition between andthe localism modernity, PNV, and between in the line rural global with and mising economy. ideas nationalism Sabino of dedicated his Arana, time, theopposed to evolved founder to preserving from of industrialization a the as foralistand purity such, position Arana hostile of to was an to the determinedly uncompro- many BasqueCountry anti-modern in of race. of his the Though workers politics effects not despite from being of other moderated industrialism, parts from notablycommercial an of the early bourgeoisie Spain. date influx adhered This when into toThe a exclusive ideological the the section and tension party, Basque of survives separatist has the tomovement. Basque doctrine, the left industrial present, its within and mark the PNV on and Basque the nationalism. widerforms nationalist of European integration. The PNV1930s has onwards always it had was a increasingly strong influenced Catholic by Christian ethos. Democratic From ideas. the Jose Min Aguirre, leader of theand autonomous in Basque exile, governmentmember was under of active Spain’s the Second in Christianand Republic Christian Democratic peoples Democratic International. circles, in ThisFollowing and envisaged which Spain’s a the the post-Franco Europe PNV transition Basquesa of was to of nations pro-European a democracy both the founder stance,accept PNV Spain the while has 1978 and consistently Spanish remaining France constitution taken because ambivalent could the latter on find identified their independence. the place. It refused to

Downloaded By: [Keating, Michael] At: 07:36 24 January 2007 represents a re-adoption of the notion of partial or shared fueros M. Keating & Z. Bray tradition of divided sovereignty, this time in the new context of Europe and The PNV has nonetheless been forced to maintain a level of pro-independence rhetoric Against this background the Ibarretxe Plan can be seen as a re-engagement with the sovereignty, historic rights and negotiation, inParty implicit leaders contradiction have to often radical recognized separatism. division the practical of impossibility Basque of society independence, betweenstrong given nationalist the incentives and to non-nationalist search poles,choose, for which dividing a provides equally third between way. nationalists Polls and regularly non-nationalists. showbecause voters, of competition when for forced votes from to part EA, which of favours a independence in Europe theETA. of long term These the as separatist peoples and nationalistsof from of extreme radical left-wing nationalism complexity, inclinationpolitical linked are to of party the grouped called which armed in BatasunaMembers group the a (originally of movement most Herri thismuch Batasuna), community prominent on the represent element primordial political a links isnotions wing different but of the notion of rather ETA. on of now-outlawed Basquebecomes ideology, Basqueness, irrelevant and independence based that anyone not is a whoBasque so person adheres a ancestry: may to member left-wing have whatengagement origins with of is outside Basque this culture, the important for Basque Basque instance Country is by community. and learning adherenceforal no the Thus Basque to language. it left-wingglobalization. Yet separatist Ibarretxe also ideasimpressing seeks on and to them embrace the separatiststhe limitations in diverse of the strands sovereignty of political in nationalism. process the by modern world, so asIdentity to and reunite Political Orientation in theThe Basque political Country complexities of theidentities Basque in Country the are region, a marked reflection byone-third of divisions of of mixed the nationality, and population class conflicting are and working-class locality.at immigrants An least estimated from one other parts immigrant of parent.and Spain Voting or the is with PP a appeal functionPNV to both of the tends origin middle and to class offrom right-of-centre class. attract the electorate Both rest native-Basque (Llera, PNV of 1994). Spain.working voters, While The class, the the PSOE as and PP EB wellPSOE appeal is as and to to largely a EB sizeable many supportedwell after segment former of by Spain’s as left-wing the incomers return Basque immigrant smallercondemns nationalists to ETA left-wing who democracy violence, shifted separatist duringand to appeal second the groups to to late third such anationalists 1970s. generation as and left-wing immigrant. Batasuna, non-nationalists Among electorate Aralar, as native istends that Basques, often to which be the is a stable unlike division matter over both between ists time, of Batasuna and autochthonous with within family only the tradition. nationalist small camp. shifts Votingcentral Strong between role identification behaviour nationalists in with and the nationalist Basque non-national- sentiment. language Inculture plays the reinforced a left-wing by separatist a camp a cultureETA self-referential of prisoners sub- victimhood and demands is for sustainedBasque them and Country. at Ethnicity reinforced least in by the to the Basque beelements, theme Country allowed including is of to thus origin, serve constructed family of their tradition, a sentences complex attachment in array the to of the Basque language, political conferred by theinsistence constitution, on the rather than as original (pre-constitutional) rights. Its 352

Downloaded By: [Keating, Michael] At: 07:36 24 January 2007 ) 353 kale borroka ., 1994; Moral, 1998). Such an open attitude to the meaning of et al Basque Nationalism and the Rise and Fall of the Ibarretxe Plan a Ferrando ´ As in other cases, we cannot simply read off support for different constitutional options At the central government level the PP, which came to power in 1996 without a conviction and class. The terrorist violence of ETA and the street violence ( provoked by its supporters canary be seen between in ‘real large Basques’ part (defined as an as effort intransigent to nationalists) constructfrom a and different hard others. identity bound- configurations. Surveysas have well shown as a a core group of ofwhose staunch separatist position supporters is supporters more of ambivalent Spain, (Moral, withwith 1998). another various These substantial options latter group at interpret of different and people momentswith identify in political freely time discourses and that consequently do feel notthe more attempt wording comfortable to of fix the question identity can boundaries.a produce Thus, varying differences tendency degrees in of for support for(Keating, support independence, with 2001a). to Asked rise aboutanswers when individual suggesting issues, it that Basques, is like theytences. presented other reject So as peoples, the often while traditional something give surveys statefavouring short model show of a and roughlly ‘separation’ Basque allocation one1998; of passport, in CIRES, compe- only two 1991–96). inhabitants aroundself-determination, Most of one but inhabitants the only in Basque of(Garcı one four Country the in favours Basque three Country independence thinks support (Moral, that the this idea is of the same as independence self-determination can alsosuggests be that found Basque inself-determination, and Catalonia, while Catalan but potentially falling voters notmultiple short collective in have of identifications other grasped statehood, whichit parts can the reflect also make of far post-sovereignty suggests, room Spain. better in idea forresolution citizens’ the It that free of case life the of experiences. issue. the Yet Basques, that they are not quiteThe ready Origins for of a the definitive Ibarretxe Plan Over the past decade there haveof been several them attempts to consciously resolveimportant the modelled differences Basque conflict, of on some context (Keating, theerned 2001b). in Between peace coalition 1987 with and the process 1997 Basquethus branch the in combining of PNV the both gov- Northern PSOE, nationalists known Ireland, and asAjuria EE non-nationalists Enea despite (Euskadiko in Eskerra), of the the 1988 executive.pledged the Under to democratic the Pact parties, fight of bothPNV terrorism. nationalist sought This and to arrangement non-nationalist,EA, bring broke jointly HB down HB into during andLizarra-Garazi an the by alliance. EB late the In 1990s three demandedSocialists 1996 as nationalist more quit parties the the the and Pact self-government, Basque EBETA of government called and declared Lizarra and, for a in following self-determination. ceasefire, between the The inof PNV, 1998 effect Ajuria Basque Enea permitting elections the (Mees, a of 2003). nationalist Thisits declaration that front nationalist ceasefire year, to front and of was replace resumed in violent the turnthe action alignment shattered in left-wing when 1999, separatists ETA but ended into the the PNV continues political its process. efforts tomajority, bring was initially dependentfollowed on a a relatively pact moderate line. with Afterparliamentary Basque gaining elections an and absolute in Catalan majority 2000, nationalists, indragging however, Spanish and national the the so PP Socialists veered in to its the wake. Spanish The nationalist PNV pole, went alone into the regional elections of

Downloaded By: [Keating, Michael] At: 07:36 24 January 2007 Like 4 would continue as mico ´ concierto econo 3 M. Keating & Z. Bray law and family law; intellectual and industrial property; and weights and measures. This project, as presented, certainly amounts to a ‘third way’ proposal stopping short of The Plan allocates administrative powers and responsibilities in a rather confusing All matters not so reserved are deemed to belong to the Basque Country, although the The Ibarretxe Plan, as it was presented to both the Basque regional parliament and to the the Northern Ireland agreement, it allows for differential interpretation by nationalists and 354 manner (as the Spanishstate Constitution authority also are does). listedexplosives; Powers as currency; Spanish reserved customs nationality; to and defence the tariffs;national and merchant central the relations, marine Spanish armed and without air forces;abroad navigation; prejudice arms in and and to inter- areas theable where Basque it to has Country’s passforal constitutional ability framework responsibility. to laws The project inThe Spanish Spanish itself criminal state national law; would police force commercial be would law; enforce Spanish civilIbarretxe state law, laws. Plan except also for policy lists fields. a Shared series areasof of of the responsibility exclusive PNV’s include Basque coalition socialance, partners competences, security; state EB, this covering enterprises who at domestic wanted and the a property insistence continued rights. link The with state-wide insur- the basis for funding.tutions There of is the provision EU,matter for although ‘direct’ of it Basque is the representationdelegation, not with in Council clear the the policy exactly insti- of line how presumably Ministers, this decided would in thesecession work. bilateral and negotiation. In Basques retaining the the would Spanish critical state participate framework for in a number the of crucial issues. Spanish 2001, against the PP andnationalist the coalition Socialists, to who govern made in clearattracting their the disillusioned intention HB Basque of voters Country. forming as In anwith well the anti- as EA event moderate and the nationalists, PNV EB, andlegislation gained formed and albeit a seats, by without judicial coalition a intervention, as majority. alevel. Nonetheless, result Herri the of president Batasuna of the the was new Basque climate parliament declaredtary at refused group to illegal central dissolve formed government both the by parliamen- elected by HBin representatives, Basque leaving politics. them It as was a in potential thisduced spoiling polarized his context force that Plan Basque for Prime breaking Minister the Ibarretxeas pro- stalemate the by basis offering, for for the negotiating first withthe time, Spain. content a We of concrete would the proposal argue Plan that that it set was the the terms context forSpanish as the much Cortes, as subsequent claims debate. thewith the right three of provinces of self-determination thevision Autonomous for for Basque Navarre the Community and of Basque the Euskadi,own Country, three but decision. with Basque starting It pro- provinces provides instate’, for French with a territory the Basque possibility to Community of come furtherdetermination. ‘freely in change Basque associated’ by in their the citizenship, with future the based accordingall ‘Spanish on to residents the Spanish of principle citizenship of the rules, self- Basquevision would Country that and be nobody would to open be people to subjectidentification of to Basque discrimination with ancestry on the the outside, basis withrespect Basque of a identification nation. pro- for or non- The Spanishsection Community of and would the Spanish Basque. be Constitutional Courtrelations bilingual, It would between with deal would the with governments equal interpretations have of ofsion Spain the would its and deal bilateral the with own Basque other Country. mattersof court A of state. bilateral contention. system, The commis- King and of Spain a would remain as special head

Downloaded By: [Keating, Michael] At: 07:36 24 January 2007 pez 355 ´ pez insisted that this proposal ´ In presenting the Plan the PNV used 5 Basque Nationalism and the Rise and Fall of the Ibarretxe Plan Supporting the PNV but with more outspoken pro-independence rhetoric, EA described The Basque regional branch of the Socialist party, EE, by contrast, condemned the The PP, meanwhile, rejected the Plan as illegal because it implied a rupture with the increasingly nationalist language innationalists order and to so win claim thea that support demonstration the of that Plan radical the represented left-wingeignty PNV Basque all is Basque as as nationalists. much The Batasuna,however, concerned Plan it but with exposed was itself Basque more with nationhood toretxe the and a Plan accusations sover- of is more non-Basque exclusivist. nationalists that pragmatic the Ibar- and realisticthe Ibarretxe strategy. Plan as Inand a “unique this a opportunity way, step forthird the towards normalization partner the of in politics finalbridge the in objective between Euskadi” ruling the of coalition, nationalists independencea EB—whose and for supporters the project non-nationalists”—backed the describe forThrough the themselves Basque negotiation Ibarretxe self-determination as Country. with Plan “a the The as insoftened PNV the Euskadi and nationalist tone EA, of within EBits the support text introduced the in as various favour a amendments, context of moveaccording a away which more to of from federalist the EB, approach. ‘veto a blocked It politics’“such justified constructive of federal an debate the obsession about PP, Spain. with PSOE new state and understandings supremacy Batasuna of which, is sovereignty: obsoleteIbarretxe in today’s Plan European as reality”. “anationalists” unilateral and project, as made aPlan by as “deliberate exclusive [Basque] and halfway nationalists sectarian, step EEIts and refused leaders towards insisted to for that engage independence”. [Basque] the in current Dismissing Basquestitution, statute parliamentary is the of discussion. a autonomy of sufficient basis Euskadi, within onpresented the a which Spanish document to con- explaining work the for stepsand more necessary introducing autonomy. for a reforming In new the December term statute 2004 into ofcommunity’ EE the autonomy within political a vocabulary ‘plurinational by Spain’. defining Determinednot Euskadi to as more prove a Basque that ‘national than “we are the as nationalists”, Basque, EE if leader Patxi Lo would “make Euskadi a welcoming country in which everyone may be integrated”. Lo also warned thatstability the of Ibarretxe Euskadi. Plan, by its disruptiveSpanish nature, state. threatened Pointing the outPP economic dismissed that the there Plan isas as the no separatist. same, such In it thingSpanish”, line branded and as with based the a on its scheme “racist freely strategy “the discrimination”. associated of Plan In state, the of painting PP’s the ETA”, all view “anti-Basque” nationalists the Spanish as constitution well as “anti- unionists, and for individuals toso express overcoming different identities the according fundamental to divisionof their between responsibility, preferences, the while two it may groups.rather not The than be allocation a entirely final of clear, settlement. areas Yet isused the presented either ambivalence as as of a a parts basis basis ofsovereignty for the for and negotiation Plan convergence autonomy, means on that or new itunderstandings. as understandings can a be of stage community, boundaries, on which to rehearse traditional and conflicting The Debate around the Ibarretxe Plan The responses of theidentification political processes parties in to the the Basque Ibarretxe Country. Plan illustrate the complexity of

Downloaded By: [Keating, Michael] At: 07:36 24 January 2007 M. Keating & Z. Bray Finally, on the left-wing separatist front, Batasuna criticized the Ibarretxe Plan on the The tactical positions of the parties as the Plan made its way through the Basque and Batasuna’s tactical position was crucial, since the votes of its six representatives in the gives Euskadi adequate powers and ifyet there to are exercise still full responsibility, areas this whereloyalty is the to only Basque because the authorities of are central “the Basque state”. government’s lack of grounds that itsimply failed to another defend statuteof Basque reform the culture PNV’s in andmaintaining commitment fell disguise. the to short Its Basque the ofmeans leaders Country independence, “Basque of questioned in being cause”, holdingsnubbing a the accusing on a to state the “genuineness” project power. PNV offurther which This, of submission self-determination, in in simply deliberately to its because turn, it Spain view prompted “isn’t went and theirs”. Aralar as France toSpanish far parliaments accuse as reflected as Batasuna a these was of differences.and reasonably so Arguing should that possible not the be towards Planto a is stop subject the unconstitutional for Basque discussion, Parliament theBasque debating PP Parliament it and at its and all. local transferred Whenplace branch, it to the there. was PPE, Madrid, nonetheless sought The the approveddebated by Socialist PP the in sought Party the to was Basque preventit less Country a rigid, clear or debate raising taking in thatblocked Madrid. no if he Prime objection necessary Minister regarded by to Zapatero, the the the constitutional however, Plan court. made Plan being Basque as Parliament unconstitutional, could determine threateningevent whether Batasuna that the cast Plan it threeacceptance was in votes would accepted a in move there be favour whicha or ‘yes’ of the to not. party self-determination, the In to explained Plan a the thus:votes popular and “Three consultation against and votes three the to for Plan an against agreement, the signifiedPlan while it, plan a which the signified ‘no’ does allowing three not to its resolve a conflictBatasuna re-introduction and could of to avoid the another accusations autonomous fraud”. ofa By statute, standing popular letting in to referendum. the the a By Plan way expressing go of its through, to an disapproval be initiative of the the designed Plan, only to it ‘real’ allow couldmore Basque maintain party, compromised, its not claim Basque totally nationalist buying parties. into the political project of the other, The European Dimension In the early stagesone of stage discussion the strong Plan’s emphasis proponentssoure invoked was a place (a proposal on by Basque the thebecome French European non-nationalist partners politician context. of Alain based At the Lamas- Union, in disregardinganism the of the fact administrative that French this decentralization hadpartner Basque rather been intended of than Country) as semi-independence. a for the mech- parties The which regions PNV, European proposed that as to Free the a Europeangement’ Constitution Alliance, by recognize which a was territories right within ofthe one EU ‘internal elaboration member enlar- of of states the could proposal, a accedeonly however, to the the bilateral group the European Spain–Basque Union. route of During gradually Countrythe closed route. limits stateless off, This leaving of was the partly nationalist because Europeposals of of a of the realization the Regions, of Convention butProposal on it the also is reflected Future disillusionment of framed with Europe the largely (see pro- below). in As a a result, bilateral the context Ibarretxe of Spain and the Basque Country. 356

Downloaded By: [Keating, Michael] At: 07:36 24 January 2007 ´ 357 a Errazti asserts the party’s defence of a ‘Europe of the ˜ Basque Nationalism and the Rise and Fall of the Ibarretxe Plan pez, the Europe of the future would be “one of citizens represented by the state and As for the PP, it supported the draft European constitution, but with reservations. During The parliamentary debates on the Ibarretxe Plan coincided with the referendum cam- After initial vacillation the PNV nonetheless decided to support a ‘yes’ vote, with PNV EA, by contrast, came out against the draft constitution on the grounds that it did not Batasuna assumed a position similar to that of EB. While it acknowledged “the import- On the statist side, EE supported the draft European constitution, in spite of its “lack of ´ Bono, a noted opponentwhich considers of the possibility plurinational of ideas, drawing added up new that frontiers “there inits their is second territory”. term no in power, state fromre-emphasizing 2000 in Spanish to national Europe 2004, sovereignty. the The PPas PP had based saw become on somewhat the a Eurosceptical, draft notion of European Europe constitution as a plural unity but only headed by states, in which regions shared sovereignties, and not by exclusive sovereignties suchPlan”. as In that an evoked by attempt the to Ibarretxe linkwith an Europe, alternative the debate slogan to in the EE’sconstitution Ibarretxe campaign for Plan was a on yes “more Basque vote autonomy Europe, in the more referendum on Euskadi”. the The European Socialist minister of Defence, Jose Spain, rather thandefence. Despite Europe, longstanding is PNVis demands attributed acknowledged for as direct competence continuing representation to in in be Europe, monetary mainly access via policy,paign the Spanish for tariffs state. Spanish and ratificationtwo of became more the difficult draft toIndeed, European maintain the as constitution. draft drafting constitution Yet of became a the thethan matter in European linkage of other constitution greater parts of advanced. contention of the Spain, init precisely the did because Basque not of Country its recognize failure statelessprocess, to nations address nor as the did Basque possibly question; it having recognize a role the in Basque the language. EUleader decision-making Imaz calling thefavour European of constitution “a Europe step impliespreted in less as the Spain being right and direction. openof less Each to their step France.” the autonomous in The Ibarretxe regions. draftconfirmed Plan When constitution this, as a was statement it Imaz inter- from left wasissues the it able of EU up internal to Commission sovereignty to call spokesperson with states for the to the EU”. define PP theprovide and statutes for the Socialists statelessBasque to nations. nation “stop This to mixing the enabledEuropean up same space EA degree to the as to PNV. Batasuna,Parliament, As project without EA a itself altogether member president of surrendering Begon as thepeoples’. the European a EB pro- Free Alliance protector branded in thethe the of grounds European draft the of European the text’s constitutiontution’s allegedly failure ‘anti-democratic’, neoliberal to principally principles. recognize Like on violation linguistic EA, of and it linguistic criticized cultural and the diversity, cultural consti- saying rights that of it millions “legalisesance of the of European Europe” citizens”. for a “unitedpoverty, fight” Batasuna against members environmental were pollution, encouraged social tolegitimated vote inequality the against and attempt the text to on “reinforcebeen the an grounds written that anti-democratic predominately it and bysentatives anti-social conservative nucleus”, directly leaders having elected and by without “the consulting European peoples”. other repre- more social values”, as a means of goingprogress.” “forwards Like rather the than PNV, backwards. Europe EE is linked workpreferences, in the draft but constitution to drew its the ownLo domestic opposite constitutional conclusions. According to EE general secretary Patxi

Downloaded By: [Keating, Michael] At: 07:36 24 January 2007 gica, 2002) showed over- ´ n Sociolo ´ M. Keating & Z. Bray The paradoxical result of these debates on the Plan and on Europe, which might have When the Ibarretxe Plan was introduced by name, however, partisan differences would have a subordinate roleindependent with Basque no Country, place the for PP proposals suggested, such could as be theprovided expelled Ibarretxe the from Plan. opportunity An the to EU. openand up new self-determination, ideas was about thus community,Instead boundaries, to sovereignty of reinforce existing focusing positionsBasque attention and and on traditional Spanish attitudes. the poles.ceptions The middle of Ibarretxe ground, identity Plan as was itsocial firmly interpreted reified and following circumscribed differences traditional with territorial con- clear between boundaries.sented and So the as coinciding while an cultural, the inclusive political, Basques proposal measure, irrespective for affirming a of officially Basque thatportray origin citizenship it all as as is residents well creating pre- inargue a as the that new territory reaching it division are out between isfreely to Basques meaningless, associated and the since Spaniards. state diaspora, it OthersSpain is is on opponents again the not may interpreted can other. Self-determination clearly asmise is related presented on separatism as to one a on rights basis side,evolving for or one coexistence and and obligations. and side plural a compro- The Europe and secession similarly on as dissolved the in selling the other. out debate The over to externalPopular the Attitudes support constitution. to framework the in Ibarretxe an Plan We have noted above that Basquerather public open opinion and on fluid, questions providing ofevidence power a that and market sovereignty a for is substantial new ideas majoritythe and of impasse, proposals. Basques bringing There wish in is forthe all consistent a strands negotiated Basque of political opinion. solution Government A to survey (Gabinete in de 2002 conducted Prospeccio on behalf of whelming support forthe the propositions underlying that principles Basqueshould society of be had the the excluded; Plan. rightBasque and Around to County decide that 90% its to assented thereSeventy-three own per to should Spain future; cent that agreed be could nobody thattity. guarantees the Large not Basques majorities that are be also a the supportedreferendum. people changed an relationship of The extension Europe without of of only with competencesBasque its the the freely and own citizenship, divisive the iden- consent supported right by issue to of 52%. was hold both a over sides. recognitionappeared. Two-thirds of of dual respondents hoped Spanisharound that the 90% and Plan of would the succeed,majority PNV but of and this PP included EA voters voters hopedpolls but that from fewer it Euskobarometro, than would a fail. half survey Thisindependently of supported polarization Socialist by at was the voters, tracked the Basque while in governmentconsidered the University a but series themselves conducted of of well the informedin Basque about the Country. the course Plan, In ofmoment a November the were figure year. 2004 divided that Opinions only equally had overand 31% (37% actually whether on non-nationalists. dropped it each was Large side), opportuneany corresponding to majorities, reform closely introduce including should to itreform at nationalists be among this of on nationalists, the the statute consideredPP, basis tended of to that of consider autonomy, it consensus. as whileretxe a rupture Most to non-nationalists, from persist the nationalists especially constitution. with Thirty-six saw the supporters per Plan, cent the of wanted against Ibar- Plan the 19% who as wanted a him to withdraw it and 34% who 358

Downloaded By: [Keating, Michael] At: 07:36 24 January 2007 359 Basque Nationalism and the Rise and Fall of the Ibarretxe Plan Euskobarometro evidence shows that Basques did not make the sort of connection Post-referendum research indicates that many citizens voted not so much in relation to Ethnographic research on identity construction and expression in the Basque Country By contrast, other respondents criticized the Plan as a biased political and cultural strait- thought he should negotiate it within the a Socialists. Thirty referendum per and centMay said 21% they 2005, No, would after vote again the Yes dividinghad Plan on fallen, was with party only rejected lines 28% into wanting (Euskobarometro, the be Ibarretxe 2004). well Spanish to informed In persist. Parliament, about The the regionalthirds percentage Plan support of supported did people not a for increase claiming reform it overbarometro, of this whole 2005). the period. statute Yet nearly of two- autonomy, with more powersbetween granted (Eusko- Europe andMore the than Ibarretxe half Plan theConstitution. which Basque Among the population those PNV feltthought who would itself that considered have ill its themselves liked informed impact(Euskobarometro, well on about to 2003). the informed, the achieve. When Plan twice draft thein was European as referendum February unfavourable many 2005 on as a thethe those majority European least who of enthusiastic constitution thought voters region the wasvote at proving reverse held was the to state be even Euskadi, levelfrontier lower with voted with in a France, in yes at the favour 55.7%. vote strongly (76.72%), of with nationalist 62.11%. province Thethe yes of actual content Guipuzcoa, of the adjoiningwhole constitution but and the rather their on perception the ofEarlier basis political of parties’ studies their opinion stances have of towardspeople the it EU shown in (Eurobarometer, as 2005). other a that partsthis, Basques of one are Spain can and less concludewithin much which that enthusiastically to less the explore pro-European so new EUrily ideas than than being is of invested Catalans Basque not in sovereignty. (Keating, the seen Nationalist debatethe 2001a). underway by energies new in From are voters explorations Spain prima- on in in the constitutional future Euskadi law model as of that the the are state,sheds accompanying and best light in it. on forum the complex patternstradictory of survey identification results, there and as explains mentionedPlan’s the above, sometimes emergence which con- provide and the subsequent contextposed for on shelving. the emotional We Ibarretxe lines, observe reflectingening the that of political boundaries. attitudes rhetoric In evoking informal are a interviewsarticle often and polarisation some participant and recom- observation inhabitants hard- carried of outsolution for the to this Basque longstanding Country cultural defendedPlan tensions the clarifies between Ibarretxe things”, Basques Plan said andwhere as one. Spanish: a we “The “With logical stand Ibarretxe self-determination,the we and would be Ibarretxe know able Plan moreSpaniards. to clearly noted And develop I how ourselves don’tbe “I feel more organized, I have freely”. not really even Another always hadof during a supporter people felt the say who of democratic in myself feel transition howculturally this quite in I and way, the politically. would different who early Why have from feel 1980s.perceived can’t liked we I we our other as know are people country responding a still simply to despised lot too have to by dominated our a the say?”. by Spanish The Spanish legitimate ruling Plan mentality, majority. aspirations is here ofjacket. a One people person who misunderstoodwing was separatist and the nationalism victim and ofgiance who, an from in ETA PNV the bomb to past EE, attack few lamented for years, that her has “there criticism shifted was of little her discussion left- political between alle- all the parties

Downloaded By: [Keating, Michael] At: 07:36 24 January 2007 , that of pez Plan, the demos ´ or with the Basque Country, all / ” According to her, the Ibarretxe Plan did not reflect the ... and even worse with the surrender to the blackmail of terro- ... Spanish boundary, depend on the individual’s viewpoint and on / M. Keating & Z. Bray Another person felt that the Ibarretxe Plan excluded people like him who do not identify Such negative reactions reflect an interpretation of the Ibarretxe Plan as an attempt to As it is drafted, the Plan translates existing emotional tensions into plain language by From the evidence of the varying responses cited above, we can conclude that attitudes in the writing up ofof the Ibarretxe society.” Plan. Because It of ischange, not its according based nationalist on to stance, consensus this and thenationalist, only person: Plan involves this “while excludes half today the mightchanges, possibility there will of is not we future a be have majority another in the Plan? parliament Now case that the is in Ibarretxe Plan, the next future. the Lo So, every time the majority differing understandings and uses of boundaries.of The conflict the around the problems Plan is raisedthem. illustrative Supporters by and these opponents different oftion interpretations the of Plan of the are boundaries debate, equallyfixed and responsible because boundaries. for of reactions the the to emotionaliza- possibility that it can be perceived as setting up more X Plan? Wherethis?”. are Thus, the for different thistalk people about person, people in “the having the Euskadi Ibarretxe rightidea to supposed Plan of decide a provides to is Basque just little find sentimental. peopleplurality real It apart themselves of perpetuates substance. Basque this with invented All society. this with Basque nationalism from theretxe’s possibility of plan identifying is themselves only asnity, for Basques. “Ibar- making nationalists. it It has impossibleagainst merely to Basques. succeeded talk During in in the radicalizingnow terms Franco the in of Ibarretxe’s commu- years, a Basque we Country, Basqueagreed were they civic with tell accused this nation. us shift of we It of beingof are categories: pitches a anti-Basque.” “now anti-Spanish, Basques I homogeneous Another and feel respondent society werism.” are Yet being another sacrificed person for the sawBasque pretensions the against Ibarretxe Spanish”. Plan as having created “a new freeze the boundaries between Basqueappears and to Spanish. be the The emphasis cause oning of the the such notions Plan. negative of All reactions identity these andditional belonging boundary comments in is do the reinforced not debate not consider concern- but only by the by the content the traditional of fear-mongering nationalist the stancedeny of of Plan. the parties some reality against Rather of of the the its changing Plan tra- defendersnotions and who of freely all, identity. interpretable in their boundaries own according way, to individuals’ providing definitions foroffering the a concepts solution of ininhabitants citizenship, the of form nationality Euskadi of to andin a have sovereignty, declaration relation an and in opinion, tomatters favour to of which their define specific until who identificationdecision action. they now making It with are have may requires and Spain for remaineddifferent what arguments many and comfortably they and people interpretations want abstract entail oftution, sacrificing and the Europe, concepts their hypothetical. of other democracy sovereignty, Such together identifications. Spain, and with the The identity Consti- the use putin of a forward a way by language that is of the not fear, different necessarily have political experienced theto in parties, effect the everyday of Ibarretxe life polarizing (Bray, Plan,fication identifications 2002). and of in the particular Basque whether or not it is seen as provoking the solidi- 360

Downloaded By: [Keating, Michael] At: 07:36 24 January 2007 361 In contrast, 6 Basque Nationalism and the Rise and Fall of the Ibarretxe Plan The European context might have saved the Ibarretxe Plan from such a fate, had it been In our review of party positions we observed that none of those opposed to the Plan the coalition partners in thetorial Basque borders government by challengedifferent these drawing practices fixed on draw political values on and different terri- based visions on of Europe. Basque cultural symbols.Conclusion Finally, these The Ibarretxe Planrestricted was autonomous self-government intended within topendence, a find larger and nation a thereby stateBasque new Country and to could full-blown way engage inde- provide in betweentive, a it a the dialogue is about not old basis the soposes. future. much alternatives In on If because fact, it of of there which has its has been failed intrinsicrather, rather the in content lies little or this in debate various the the objec- about context division the inbeen parties of details which of powers instrumentalized the the that within Plan Plan. it by The has pro- the problem, beenreality the presented and and various of the way the parties inrendered motives which to of it it has their reinforce suspicious opponents.entrench their Its to rather own origins non-nationalists than in interpretations overcome and aa of global differences. nationalist encouraged level front Although to its transform inevitably it oldcan use forms understandings be of part shared as sovereignty and of by divided, a showingbasis broader it how of mechanism has sovereignty efforts sovereignty sparked at to a and confrontation identity on rather the than symbolic a andlinked rethinking ideological to of a its coherent substance. European programme constitution, at despite the taking European placetion, level. at closing However, the rather the same than debate time,the opening on veered the opportunities binary off draft in and mode another pushingover in direc- the identification which Basque with debate it Basqueness, backcation had so with into Europeanness, long they each also been withsignify. their wrangle blocked. own We with understandings Just see each of the what as other these political the over two parties concepts identifi- political talk about parties the fight Ibarretxe Plan and the draft European respond directly to what italism actually and says. Debate the has differentinvolved, focused on understandings on the the of part legitimacy sovereigntyas of of nation- opponents, and a a self-determination. text rallying This consecratednot around open the has by to Spanish the modification. constitution, ultimate Heatedand presented discussion emotional democratic has right authority focused for on of allthis Basque right who a identity has wish referendum been as to hijacked a and claimpast and cultural drew it, hence on polarized with essentialist by the notions Basque ‘Spanish’the of Plan nationalism. parties identity have Just claiming used to as references that promote to the Basquein such PNV which nationalism, notions the in as opponents concepts identity, the of of people, nationality blood,it and race as citizenship and undemocratic. terrorism, are intermingled, Opponents to are justifywe not criticism alone have of in seen, using is suchparties also terms, are however, often as involved a the in strong PNV,displaying attempts as proponent different to of understandings appropriate this of Basquemarkers. kind the symbols of The for boundaries essentialist their for discourse. PSOE ownunchanged, which All use, and insist these while symbols on PP, serve Spanishrigid in as cultural in their symbols this, to effortthere adhering has defend to even to this been keep aim. old-fashioned talk political of The concepts sending PP and in of is the territorial the the army to borders most state restore and order in frontiers. Euskadi. Recently

Downloaded By: [Keating, Michael] At: 07:36 24 January 2007 M. Keating & Z. Bray In the traditional European state system boundaries took the form of physical borders More broadly the case illustrates the critical importance of symbolism and political constitution with varying interpretationseignty and of the EU. the Both concepts theto Ibarretxe of in Plan an and democracy, abstract the identity, draft form,the European around sover- EU constitution which appears are the as referred political an parties escapebolic situate clause boundaries themselves. in can that The be it theme rearranged forms of to‘us’ part serve and of different a ‘them’. political wider self-interested discourse definitions in of which sym- which kept people in and outtutions, and identities, served culture to delineate and coincidingerosion functions. systems of for European politics, such integration insti- fixed representsObjectively in the borders, Ibarretxe principle allowing Plan an different istorial systems consistent and with to institutional this. find frontier Itprovide which is their people concretizes not own with a the boundaries. different proposal cultural waysmous to one, of set region, but living up and rather out a to an terri- theirsome redefine effort identity degree, to within the the the relationship other Basquebest of Basque autono- way this to provinces. region achieve Of these tocussion course, objectives, the and but the Spanish it negotiation Ibarretxe is state in Plan antutional and, effort an may to to emerging not reformulate law. debate be the problemcomponent on the The for new nationalities dis- ideas Spanish now ofcultural, sovereignty under debate and political way consti- on will andcontext, Europe, be the territorial instead an of relationship boundariesbe providing opportunity discussed, a continue between to forum is see where todifferent the being new political how be utilized ideas visions state different such and as negotiated. ambitions. as a and sovereignty Within conveniently can its malleable this boundaries concept in for a backing worldpoint where to quite the physical Northern bordersand powers, Ireland are and case, becoming even where lesssecure a a agreement important. certain stable on We suspension settlement, basic couldover of with which constitutional belief the to principles in various drawagreements sovereignty, new parties over lines. was continually details In not seeking Quebec of enoughhow symbolic a to the to issues give settlement division symbolic is representation of prevented toThe competences, debate such not on core but the so concepts EU by as much constitution sovereigntya a in by and parallel France, lack dis- nationhood. experience, The in Netherlands of which and agreement other aning countries effort focus on provides to of formulate political ideas authority abouteignty sovereignty and and loyalty the discourse, provoked shift- an thereby outburstoppositions of providing traditional unrelated state an sover- toclassic opportunity nation-state the formula for has issue not a workedality, at and whether myriad will in not hand. the social work Basque in Country Asevidence and areas or of of in these surveys, contested political other the nation- parts and Basque ofto Europe. people reflect If other are, we their in believe examples principle, life the openmore experiences. ultimate show, to than Yet new constitutional getting the thinking engineering. from better able here to a workable alternative involves Acknowledgement The research for thisNew paper York was supported under byNorms the of a Self-determination International grant and from Peace the the Sanctity & Carnegie of Security Corporation Existing of Borders’. Program Initiative: ‘Contending 362

Downloaded By: [Keating, Michael] At: 07:36 24 January 2007 , / n ´ 363 (Bilbao: WPpdffiles / (Bilbao: Funda- n: Aramburu). cibr ´ / , 31(1), pp. 367–388. (Oxford: Oxford Uni- , Flash 168 EOS Gallup Northern Ireland and the (Lanham, MD: Rowman & (San Sebastia www.qub.ac.uk ricos y Democracia // ´ Journal of Common Market Studies (Brussels: Presses interuniversitaires s Vasco). Politics and Society ´ (Madrid: Tecnos). n ´ (Oxford: Oxford University Press). n Europea y la Sociedad Internacional ´ n de la sociedad vasca sobre el nuevo pacto politico para ´ Culture, Institutions and Economic Development: A Study of (Bilbao: Euskobarometro). Foralismo, Derechos Histo (Cambridge: Polity Press). ricos y Constitucio ´ La opinio (Bilbao: Universidad del Paı WP02-2, available at: http: / Multi-level Governance tica n del nacionalismo vasco: del PNV a ETA ´ ´ Multi-level Governance and European Integration gica (2002) ´ Derechos Histo (Aldershot: Edward Elgar). Observatorio Vasco de la Integracio La Propuesta Ibarretxe tradition recognizes the monarch as a contractually bound overlord. It may also be easier Sentimiento nacionalista, identidad, autogobierno, Plan Ibarretxe y autodeterminacio n Sociolo The European Constitution: Post-referendum Survey in Spain Transformacio Basque Nationalism and the Rise and Fall of the Ibarretxe Plan Nations without States ´ Nations against the State: The New Politics of Nationalism in Quebec, Catalonia and Scot- (Oxford: Oxford University Press). Plurinational Democracy: Stateless Nations in a Post-Sovereignty Era The New Regionalism in Western Europe: Territorial Restructuring and Political Change (Vitoria: Basque Government Presidency). foral Living Boundaries: Identity in the Basque Country Los Vascos y La Polı on, M. (1998) on, M. & Lluch, E. (Eds) (1998) ˜ ˜ enes, Peter Lang). ´ (London: Palgrave). also considers the FrenchBasque Basque Country territory. and Thus theparties participants autonomous and in region associations of from the these Navarre discussions other in regions. on Spain as theciple. part The Ibarretxe of Plan alsoto cater included for political complexity and plurality in monarchies than‘Spanish in state’. republics, with their equal citizenship. Forces is to defend Spain’s ‘territorial integrity’. n BBV). ´ 1. Known in Basque2. as Eusko While Alderdi principally Jeltzalea focused (EAJ). on Euskadi, the Ibarretxe plan, as an expression of Basque national identity, 3. This seems a striking concession for nationalists to make, but the PNV has never been republican4. in prin- Although in customary Basque nationalist manner, it refuses to5. speak about Citations Spain, are insisting taken on6. from the personal term This interviews drew on and Article press 8.1 sources. of the Spanish Constitution, which states that one of the missions of the Armed Divided World versity Press). (Cheltenham: Edward Elgar). 38(1), pp. 1–24. Littlefield). cio la convivencia europe H. Donnan &Belfast, T.M. Wilson Working (Eds), Paper Centre for CIBR International Border Studies, Queen’s University of Europe, European Commission, March 2005. CIBRwp2002_2rev.pdf. Euskobarometro). (Bilbao: Euskobarometro). Eight European Regions land Keating, M. (2001c) Keating, M. (2001b) Northern Ireland and the Basque Country, in: J. McGarry (Ed.), Keating, M. (2001a) Keating, M. (1998) Jeffery, C. (2000) Sub-national mobilization and European integration, Hooghe, L. & Marks, M. (2001) Herrero de Min Herrero de Min Guibernau, M. (1999) Gurrutxaga, A. (1996) Bray, Z. (2002) Boundaries and identities: the case of Bidasoa-Txingudi on the Franco-Spanish frontier, in: Bray, Z. (2004) Euskobarometro (2003) CIRES (1991–96) opinion surveysEurobarometer (Madrid: (2005) CIRES). Euskobarometro (2004) Gabinete de Prospeccio References Bache, I. & Flinders, M. (Eds) (2004) Notes Llera, F. (1994) Keating, M., Loughlin, J. & Deschouwer, K. (2003) Keating, M. (2004) European integration and the nationalities question, Euskobarometro (2005)

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