The dual leadership of the PNV, now represented by Aitor Esteban in Sabin Etxea and Imanol Pradales in Ajuria Enea, has intensified on 11 September, with Esteban in Barcelona for the Catalan national Day and Pradales in the Canaries alongside his counterpart Fernando Clavijo. The Basque nationalists cherish their relationship with the Coalición Canaria (CC), a historically friendly party with whom they share space in Europe, while also seeking to restore the lost closeness with Junts following the ‘procés’. The former dual leadership, represented by Andoni Ortuzar and Iñigo Urkullu, mediated between Carles Puigdemont and Mariano Rajoy to prevent a unilateral declaration of independence and the activation of Article 155.
Following the dissolution of CiU, the PNV has gravitated towards the more moderate post-convergence sector, which was once articulated around PDeCAT. The events of 2017 marked a point of no return with Puigdemont, leading to the breakdown of the historically maintained European coalition in 2019, and again in 2024. The ‘jeltzales’ have consistently participated in the Diada—just as the PNV similarly hosts Catalan guests at its main events, such as Alderdi Eguna—but it is notable that the last year a party leader attended the Diada in Barcelona was in 2019.
In 2024, Esteban himself was sent as a representative, albeit as a congressman. Now, he has chosen to attend in person as president, accompanied by Junts. He was joined by a key figure in this new phase, Joseba Díez Antxustegi, who also serves as the parliamentary spokesperson. Ortuzar, prior to stepping down from his position, had already begun to rebuild bridges. On the very day the news broke that Urkullu would not continue as lehendakari, he was meeting with Jordi Turull and subsequently travelled to Belgium to meet Puigdemont, always in the company of Joseba Aurrekoetxea.
“We wish to convey our respect for the people of Catalonia and emphasise the defence of the sovereignty of Euskadi and Catalonia. We wish everyone a happy National Diada of Catalonia,” the PNV stated in both Euskara and Catalan during the visit. Esteban and Díez Antxustegi appeared in many photographs released by Junts, standing close to their top leaders, headed by Turull. “It is important to be here. Despite the specific political nuances of life in Euskadi and Catalonia, we face common challenges and advocate for our sovereignty. Among these shared challenges, we must recognise that the global situation and the European context are also affecting us. We need to pay close attention to how the new European order will unfold. For Europe to remain relevant, it will be compelled to strengthen itself, and both the Basque and Catalan nations must seek their place within this framework. I believe we need to focus as much, if not more, on the new European context as we do on that within the Spanish State. The PNV feels at home in Catalonia,” Esteban remarked to the media in the Catalan capital. This meeting occurred following the vote in the Congress where the PNV supported the reduction of the working day proposed by Yolanda Díaz, in contrast to Junts.
“Congratulations, Catalonia. Sister nation of the Basque nation, a land of refuge, a cosmopolitan people with deep-rooted identity. Visca Catalunya!” Pradales posted on X, although from the Canaries, where he is on an official trip. The PNV has closer ties with CC than with Junts, and indeed, this alliance helped preserve their European seat in 2019 and 2024 amid the rift with Catalan nationalism. CC governs in coalition with the PP in the archipelago and supported the activation of Article 155 for Catalonia following the ‘procés’.
In the year and a few months that Pradales has led the Basque Government, he has already held several meetings with Clavijo. They have shared the presidencies conferences in Santander and Barcelona, while the Canarian leader also visited Vitoria, along with other members of his team. Both Euskadi and the Canaries share a common stance on migration and advocate for changes in this area at the State level. In fact, the regional minister responsible, Nerea Melgosa, is also part of the delegation in the Canaries.
Both communities aim to extend this shared vision to other interconnected areas. For instance, the alliance established in Tenerife regarding R&D, employment, and training this Thursday is closely related. “This protocol will enable Euskadi to benefit from practices developed by the Canarian community, such as the ‘Tierra Firme’ project, which provides training in cooperation with countries in West Africa, focusing on professional training, employment, and regular migration. Euskadi already faces a shortage of workers due to an ageing population. Simultaneously, migrants arriving often lack the qualifications and profiles needed by our business fabric. We must manage this reality. We believe ‘Tierra Firme,’ with its focus on professional training, can serve as an important reference for us to begin developing similar experiences,” Pradales stated in the islands. He will also have the opportunity to visit the rescue ship Open Arms during his trip, scheduled for this Friday.
Both the Basque and Canarian Governments believe they offer a different (and improved) approach to politics compared to that seen in Madrid. “Politics based on dialogue, collaboration, and a constant search for the common good, above the noise and polarisation. Although separated by thousands of kilometres, or nautical miles if you prefer, we are united by a shared understanding of politics,” Pradales expressed. This sentiment was echoed by the Canarian spokesperson, Alfonso Cabello, on Radio Club Tenerife, the local station of Cadena Ser. “It’s a pleasure, and there’s good rapport. Both governments are trying to distance themselves from political noise at this moment. Canarian or Basque mode. Useful politics,” remarked the CC leader.
