State advocate seeks to keep Sortu out of elections

The advocate general, under government orders, has filed a written motion with the Constitutional Court arguing that, because the Basque abertzale radical left continues to remain under ETA's wing, the Sortu formation should not be legalized.

"They are four hands playing the same instrument," the advocate general wrote, referring to ETA and the abertzale sector.

In the written statement - similar to arguments being prepared by Attorney General Cándido Conde-Pumpido - the advocate general asks the court to reject Sortu supporters' appeal to form their party - which was outlawed by the Supreme Court in a nine-to-seven vote in April. Sortu hopes to field candidates in the November 20 general elections.

The argument concludes that all the organizations being backed by Batasuna, including the Bildu coalition - which it does not name but makes reference to - cannot be deemed legal in Spain at this time.

"As long as ETA has not disappeared definitely, the abertzale left, either outlawed or legalized, cannot pretend to be put on the same level of political normalcy as other parties unless it breaks with ETA - without leaving any hint of doubt - by an outright rejection of ETA violence and a petition for the dissolution of the terrorist group."

Sortu filed an appeal with the Constitutional Court, saying that the justices ignored its party statutes that reject ETA violence.