Gaurko Gaiak CURRENT EVENTS UNITED LEFT, A NEW PARTNER IN THE BASQUE GOVERNMENT

On September fifteenth, the PNV and EA signed an agreement with the United Left (Izquierda Unida-Ezker Batua, or IU-EB), by which the latter would form part of the Basque Executive. The general coordinator of IU-EB, Javier Madrazo, became the chief of the new ministry of Housing and Social Affairs, bringing the number of autonomous government departments to eleven. The signatories of the accord are concentrating their priorities for this legislature on attaining peace and working towards fair and comprehensive social policies.

On September 15th the Lehendakari, Juan José tion, volunteer work, social services, immigration and Ibarretxe, and the presidents of PNV and EA, Xabier drug rehabilitation. Arzalluz and Begoña Errazti, signed an agreement with The creation of the new ministry has made it nec- the United Left by which the latter would form part of essary to restructure what until recently was known as the Basque Executive. The fifteen page document Planning, Housing and the Environment. After the explains that the inclusion of IU-EB reflects the social agreement was signed all of the areas associated with and political plurality existing in Euskadi and establishes housing were transferred to the new Ministry. the priorities for the new legislature: pacification (based on coexistence, dialogue and political normalization), Javier Madrazo, General Coordinator of IU-EB, was self government, social cohesion and the struggle sworn in as the new Basque minister on September against exclusion. 18th, convinced that "the majority of the Basque soci- ety is satisfied with the accord, which will contribute The addition of the United Left to the Basque Gov- concrete answers for pacification and political normal- ernment has increased the number of ministries from ization". He added that the presence of his party con- ten to eleven. The new partners in the Executive will be firms "plurality, stability and commitment to progressive in charge of Housing and Social Affairs, which will over- social policy," all of which will characterize how the see land and city planning, housing, architecture, con- Executive will govern over the course of this legislature. struction and building quality, development coopera- He also made a call to all political parties and social 6 CURRENT EVENTS Gaurko Gaiak

agents asking them "to work together in laying the groundwork for peace". Maximum satisfaction The document signed by the three parties calls for prioritizing Human Rights, security and liberty for all The three signatories of the governmental pact those who feel threatened. To this end, efforts will be showed their great satisfaction for what they see as a made to promote active loyal collaboration between all "plural and inclusive" Executive. The Lehendakari, Juan of the security and police forces. All efforts shall be José Ibarretxe, underlined this aspect, adding that this is based on solidarity with the victims of violence, without "the government the Basque people want, a govern- distinction. ment for which there is no alternative in terms of progress, social justice and the pursuit of peace, based IU-EB adheres to the pact previously signed by PNV on dialogue and the repudiation of violence". He also and EA, which sustains that the total and consistent called for respect for "all of the decisions made by the application of the Statute of Autonomy is a democratic Basque society. We must respect the Statute, but we demand. As far as the area of Housing is concerned, must also respect the right to self determination". there are plans to increase the number of government sponsored apartments, concentrating mainly on rental The Lehendakari feels that a new phase is now units. underway, and that the pact is an example of what can be achieved through dialogue. "We have to show the Change in leadership for three ministries society that we’re capable of reaching agreements, of growing economically, of being mutually supportive and The entrance of IU-EB in the Executive brought of securing peace." about a restructuring in some of the departments of the Basque Government. The same day Javier Madrazo took PNV President Xabier Arzalluz stated that the pact oath, five additional oaths of office were taken. Alvaro is the outcome of the political convergence of the sig- Amann, Minister of Transportation, handed the Water natories in terms of a diagnosis on pacification. "This is authority over to the newly created Ministry of Environ- the first time in twenty-two years that we have been ment. Iñaki Gerenabarrena, Minister of Agriculture and able to take advantage of this unique opportunity. We Fisheries, also transferred to the Ministry of Environ- are experiencing a successful formula and a blessing for ment what had previously been a more limited area of this land." In Arzalluz’s words, the Basque Executive is environmental issues overseen by his ministry. going to be "the most progressive government on the Iberian Peninsula". Eusko Alkartasuna also reorganized the depart- ments its members are in charge of. Anjeles Iztueta is The President of Eusko Alkartasuna, Begoña Minister of Education, Joseba Azkarraga heads up Jus- Errazti, expressed her opinion in similar terms, underlin- tice, and Sabin Intxaurraga, Planning and Environment. ing that the arrival of IU-EB "strengthens the progres- sive position of the Basque Government and shows that this is a plural society". To Begoña Errazti, the tripartite is "a vote for human rights, dialogue and the right to self determination".

Javier Madrazo

Minister of Housing and Social Affairs Bachelor in Pure Philosophy and three years of Industrial Engineering studies. Madrazo began his active public life in peace movements. In 1995 he went on to be General Coordinator of Unida- The Lehendakari swears Javier Madrazo in as Ezker Batua (United Left). Minister. 7