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Basque Separatists Hand Over Power After 30 Years

After 30 years, separatists lose power in Spanish region

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted May 5, 2009 7:24 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Security has been ramped up in the Basque region of Spain today as it prepares for the inauguration of its first non-separatist government in 30 years. Spain's national left- and right-wing parties have come together to form a unity coalition, ending decades of rule by Basque separatists. The terrorist group ETA has threatened the new government, reports the BBC, describing the incoming president as a "priority target."

Separatists have governed the Basque region since the restoration of democracy in the 1970s after the fall of Franco, but in March voters shifted their allegiances to Spain-wide parties. The incoming government has promised to beef up the police to rein in ETA, which has killed more than 820 people in its militant independence campaign. It has also promised to promote the Spanish language alongside Basque, which the separatists favor.

Patxi Lopez, the incoming Basque president, has been called a 'priority target' by the terrorist group ETA.
Patxi Lopez, the incoming Basque president, has been called a 'priority target' by the terrorist group ETA.   (AP Photo /Alvaro Barrientos)
In Spain's turbulent Basque region, political power was spelled PNV: the acronym for the nationalist party that ruled for nearly 30 years. But today a federalist coalition comes to power.
In Spain's turbulent Basque region, political power was spelled PNV: the acronym for the nationalist party that ruled for nearly 30 years. But today a federalist coalition comes to power.   (AP Photo /Alvaro Barrientos)
People waves Basque flags during an electoral meeting of the Basque Nationalist Party in Bilbao northern Spain Friday Feb. 27, 2009.
People waves Basque flags during an electoral meeting of the Basque Nationalist Party in Bilbao northern Spain Friday Feb. 27, 2009.   (AP Photo /Alvaro Barrientos)
The local branch of Spain's Socialist Party made big gains at the expense of the ruling Basque Nationalist Party in the prosperous region bordering France.
The local branch of Spain's Socialist Party made big gains at the expense of the ruling Basque Nationalist Party in the prosperous region bordering France.   (AP Photo /Alvaro Barrientos)
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Front pages of today's Spanish papers
Typically Spanish

 
Spain • Basque • ETA • separatists • Spanish • Basque separatists • Popular Party • Socialist Party of Spain

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