The 'Plan Ibarretxe' and the Madrid Elections: Two Very Important Developments in the Spanish State

[Ed George <edgeorge@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

1. Basque plan is treason, say critics

Giles Tremlett in Madrid

Monday October 27, 2003

The Guardian

Battle was joined yesterday over what some warned would be
the future disintegration of the Spanish state, after the
Basque regional premier, Juan José Ibarretxe, formally
presented a referendum proposal to convert his troubled
region into a "free associate" of Spain.

The so-called "Ibarretxe plan" was denounced as "treason" by
the deputy prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, the man chosen to
lead prime minister José María Aznar's conservative People's
party at next year's general election.

Mr Rajoy compared Mr Ibarretxe's campaign to change the
political relationship between Basques and other Spaniards
to the terror campaign of the armed separatist group Eta.
"It assumes the same objectives as Eta," he declared.

Full:
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/spain/article/0,2763,1071738,00.html>

*****

2. Basque plan raises political tension

By Danny Wood

BBC, Madrid

The secretary general of Spain's governing Popular Party,
Mariano Rajoy, says the Basque plan for autonomy is a
betrayal of the state that will cause the destruction of the
constitution.

The Basque regional government on Saturday officially
approved the plan, which proposes more independence from
Spain.

Full: <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3215501.stm>


*****

3. Conservative Party Regains Power in Local Madrid Election

By DALE FUCHS

Published: October 27, 2003

 MADRID, Oct. 26 - Prime Minister José María Aznar's
conservative Popular Party regained control of the Madrid
regional legislature in elections on Sunday, reversing a
vote five months ago that had briefly given control to the
leftist opposition.

The Madrid election has been widely considered a litmus test
for national elections in March, in which the Socialist
Party hopes to unseat the Popular Party after eight years of
rule. The results on Sunday seemed to diminish that
possibility.

 Full: <
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/27/international/europe/27MADR.html?ex=1067922000&en=7c40f5e3ef9f44b6&ei=5040&partner=MOREOVER
>


*****


For some background on this:

4. Politicians star in real-life summer soap opera

Viewers are glued to their television screens across Spain
as a real estate scandal grips the nation, writes Giles
Tremlett

Monday August 4, 2003

It is a blisteringly hot August, most of Spain is at the
beach and television channels are filling up with their
usual light-hearted nonsense of game shows, variety turns
and semi-naked dancing girls. But this year, August is
exceptional. Not only are the temperatures hitting record
highs of 46C (115F) in the shade but the biggest audience
winners on the television are the politicians.

This, unfortunately, has nothing to do with a sudden desire
to take politics seriously, but with the politicians'
ability to make even bigger fools of themselves than the
game show contestants.

Two political scandals, one in Madrid and one, appropriately
for the summer, in the glitzy resort town of Marbella, have
left viewers aghast at the calibre of the people they have
elected to office.

Full:
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/spain/article/0,2763,1012060,00.html>


*****

For a general overview of Spanish state politics, see my
note at:
<http://archives.econ.utah.edu/archives/marxism/2003w21/msg00200.htm>
and two following posts.


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