Basque voters believe Bildu will contribute to peace, poll shows
Coalition, almost banned over possible links to ETA, expected to take more than 18 percent of the vote
While many across Spain are wary of the Bildu coalition, voters in the Basque Country say they believe that the newly formed partnership is an important step toward ending terrorism, violence and political tensions in the northern region. A new poll conducted by Metroscopia for EL PAÍS shows that Bildu candidates stand to win at least 18.5 percent of the votes in the Basque Country and Navarre, where the coalition's contenders are running.
Bildu, which was formed by the abertzale radical left and the legal parties Eusko Alkartasuna and Alternatiba, was allowed to present its slates after the Constitutional Court ruled in favor of the coalition earlier this month.
The decision came despite the attorney general's arguments that Bildu was designed as an election strategy by terrorist group ETA.
The Popular Party has used Bildu as a campaign weapon, blaming the Socialists for allowing the coalition to run even though the decision was taken by the courts.
But 52 percent of Basque voters, according to Metroscopia, believe that the creation of the coalition is a sincere attempt by the abertzale to renounce violence and condemn terrorism. The poll also shows that 62 percent of Basque voters believe that Bildu will contribute to ETA's demise.
In a related issue, abertzale leaders have asked South African lawyer Brian Currin and his team of international mediators to take charge of the negotiations regarding the question of the transfer of ETA prisoners to jails in the Basque County so they can be closer to their families.
Bildu leaders have said that they will only concentrate on political strategies, and not deal with ETA prisoners.
Campaign enters final leg
As campaigning for the May 22 regional and local elections enters its final week, the leaders of Spain's two major parties on Sunday went on the attack over social policies, including immigration and racism. Speaking in Zaragoza, Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero criticized the Popular Party for allowing its leaders in Catalonia to say publicly that migrants have brought diseases to Spain that had been eradicated.
"All that is left for them to say is that immigrants also smell bad. This is an outrage," he said.
In Valladolid, PP leader Mariano Rajoy told supporters that Spain was getting ready to embark on a "new era" once his party wins next year's general elections.
"We are working on issues that are important to the people. [The Socialists] are working on dividing the people and fomenting discord," Rajoy said.
Spaniards go to the polls on Sunday to elect regional and municipal officials across the nation in what is being seen as a referendum on Zapatero's Socialist government. The PP is tipped to win the major battlegrounds, including in regions where the Socialists have traditionally governed, such as Castilla-La Mancha, according to polls.
Meanwhile in Madrid, former PP Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, who is also running for re-election, was able to bring together adversaries Felipe González and José María Aznar for a ceremony honoring former prime ministers. Also honored were the late Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo and an ailing Adolfo Suárez, who could not attend. The tribute took place as thousands of people took to the streets of Madrid to demand political and social change.
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