Otxandiano accuses Pradales of "lack of strong political leadership for the peace economy."

EH Bildu's spokesman in the Basque Parliament, Pello Otxandiano, has accused the lehendakari of "lack of strong political leadership" at a time when "costly economic measures" must be taken as a result of the US "global war."

In an article published in his personal blog , Otxandiano states: "Today we are discussing what measures we need to take to protect our industry fromtheeffects of war, but yesterday we put into value the opportunities offered by war. "" The words of February 4, 2025, of the Economic, Labour and Employment Adviser, Mikel Torres, when he advocated the protection and development of the arms industry, quite contradictory to the war. "

He recalled that in the summer of 2025 a trade agreement was signed between the US and the EU which, in his view, is' contrary 'to European strategic interests and is' aligned with the interests of those who publicly express their intention to divide and weaken Europe '. "Through this agreement, Europe sacrificed strategic autonomy and abandoned the green reindustrialization known as the European Green Deal. A huge strategic mistake, "he says.

The independence leader believes that arms purchases are boosting America's military industry: "We encourage America's military industry in theservice of war, which forces us to take costly economic measures. " "Today, we buy liquefied natural gas from the US much more expensive than in other markets, while lifting sanctions on Russian oil to mitigate the rise in energy prices generated by the wars it causes," he explained.

However, he has stressed : "The President has not said a single word about the damage that the war economy is causing to our industry. "" We have not seen a clear position on his part in favour of strategic autonomy in Europe (fundamental to the interests of our people) or in dealing with reindustrialization through the three transitions at stake. "

Otxandiano said that with the attacks on Venezuela and Iran, the US "has flagrantly violated international law and, incidentally, has begun a world in which geostrategic interests are intended to be established by brute force." 

He blames Pradales for not having heard of the "delusions" of the President of the European Commission when he said that "Europe cannot trust a world order based on rules and must adopt a more realistic foreign policy."

In his view, "the decline of Europe is a direct consequence of neoliberal policies: a Europe in the hands of oligarchic elites is a failed Europe. "According to Otxandiano," a Europe that renounces a legal system called upon to make human rights effective and enforceable, and therefore renounces the principles of enlightenment, is a dead Europe. "