Court bans hundreds of Basque candidates
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Nearly 1,500 Basque nationalists were banned yesterday from standing in local elections on 25 May by Spain's highest court, which said they were covert members of the outlawed Batasuna party.
Nearly 1,500 Basque nationalists were banned yesterday from standing in local elections on 25 May by Spain's highest court, which said they were covert members of the outlawed Batasuna party.
A hundred Batasuna sympathisers occupied Bilbao town hall, chaining themselves to banisters. Shouting "you will not silence us. Long live a free Basque country," they were dislodged by police in riot gear. Arnaldo Otegi, a former leader of Batasuna, said "left-wing nationalists" would campaign anyway, using their own ballot papers.
When the Supreme Court banned Batasuna in March on the basis that it was a front for the armed separatists of Eta, members of the party elected to town councils throughout the Basque country decided to stand for re-election under a different name. But yesterday's ruling by the Constitutional Court, which upholds another ruling last week by the Supreme Court, means those linked to Batasuna are banned, whatever they call themselves.
For the first time since the return to democracy after Franco's death in 1975, Basques favouring independence will have no one to vote for.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments