The European Commission has concluded that the ACV's health language profiles are 'national competences'

The European Commission has stated that the language profiles required of health professionals in the Basque Autonomous Community (CAV) correspond to 'national authorities', in response to a citizens' initiative analysed in the European Parliament's Committee on Petitions.

During the debate, the Commission stresses that the European Union must respect the 'national identity' of the Member States and their constitutional and administrative structures, including language regimes.

In this regard, it specifies that the regulation of the use of official languages before public administrations falls within the competence of the Member States. It also recalls that the prohibition of discrimination on linguistic grounds is laid down in the Charter of Fundamental Rights, but applies only when the Member States act under Union law.

The Commission has also referred to the initiative put forward by a Spanish citizen, on behalf of the Unidas por la Igualdad Lingüística group, according to which the requirement of the Basque language in public health posts may be an obstacle to qualified professionals and may affect the quality of health care.

The Presidency of the European Parliament's Committee on Petitions has informed us that the request will remain open until the European Commission gives a written reply, and that the next steps of the dossier will then be decided.

During the political debate, PP MEP Elena Nevado pointed out that the linguistic profiles applied in Basque health 'may violate the principles of equality, merit and ability', which she described as' disproportionate 'in a context of shortage of professionals, which may affect the care of patients.

For her part, the Socialist MEP Idoia Mendia has argued that Basque language policy is based on the right of citizens to choose the language and to adapt it to sociolinguistic reality, and has advocated the 'reasonable' application of conditions so as not to lose talent in a situation of shortage of professionals.

Diego Adrián Solier and Juan Carlos Girauta of the ECR and Vox groups have agreed to denounce possible discrimination on the basis of language. They have warned that language profiles should not take precedence over experience or training, and have also warned of the impact that this may have on the quality of the health system.