Spain’s Basque Country to hold elections

The Basque Autonomous Community in Spain is set to hold elections for its regional parliament today. The last election in 2020 saw the Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ/PNV) win a plurality of votes and continue to lead the government.  Although the Basque Nationalist Party has led the regional government almost continuously since 1979, polls are indicating that they will finish second behind left-wing Basque Country Unite (EH Bildu). Despite being a pro-independence party, the topic has not played a prominent role in Basque Country Unite’s campaign. Instead, the party has placed an emphasis on social issues, housing and the environment, which has become more important to young Basque voters than the independence debate

Even if Basque Country Unite wins a plurality today, it will likely face substantial difficulty in forming a coalition government. If the party is unable to win an outright majority of the votes, it will need the support of smaller parties like the Basque Socialist Party (PSEE-EE) in order to govern the region. The Basque Socialist Party is projected to finish third behind these two parties. It is likely that the Basque Socialist Party will continue to support the Basque Nationalist Party because it currently forms a coalition government with the party.