Institutions and political representatives, together with Basque society, bid farewell to Carlos Garaikoetxea in Ajuria Enea

The body ofCarlos Garaikoetxea has arrived in Ajuria Enea before ten o'clock in the morning from his hometown of Pamplona. Throughout the morning, institutions, political representatives and Basque society in general have said goodbye to the figure that was key in the Basque Country. Hil Chapel has remained open for four hours to bid farewell to the first president of democracy. 

The coffin has arrived in the car covered with Ikurriña and has been taken in by six Basque Government agents who, after the Txistularis Band played theofficial anthem of the Basque Country, Eusko Abendaren Ereserkia, have put the coffin inside. All the councillors of the Basque Government have also received the funeral procession in the gardens of Ajuria Enea.

A few minutes earlier, the widow of Garaikoetxea, Sagrario Mina, and her three sons arrived in Ajuria Enea and waited for the coffin to arrive on the steps leading to the palace, accompanied by its president, Imanol Pradales.

And the coffin entered the hall of Ajuria Enea, and the burning chapel was set up there. Flowers and a staff were placed at the foot of the coffin. And the burning chapel was opened to the people at 10:15.

From that moment on, the movement has not stopped; the institutional representatives, politicians and the Basque society in general have all wanted to say goodbye to Garaikoetxea. The Lehendakaris, Iñigo Urkullu, Juan José Ibarretxe and Patxi López have also attended. Urkullu and Ibarretxe have joined together.

Urkullu and Ibarretxe have entered the burning chapel together and, on leaving, in brief statements to the media, Urkullu has stated that he was "a man of strong convictions and courage, even as lehendakari."

"Lehendakari, in large letters," recalled lehendakari Juan José Ibarretxe to Garaikoetxea. 

Patxi Lopez has stated that Garaikoetxea was one of those politicians who would be very necessary today for his "firm defence of principles, but with great institutional respect and great education," always with "argument" and "never with insult."

After visiting the burning chapel, representatives of the main parties have highlighted the management of Garaikoetxea.

Since the PNV, its president, Aitor Esteban, has stressed that Garaikoetxea faced a "difficult and brilliant" period and laid the foundations for Basque self-government.

For his part, EH Bildu's Secretary General, Arnaldo Otegi, has stressed that he belonged to a generation that did "extraordinary things in extraordinary times," and has defined him as a "complete patriot."

For his part, the leader of the Basque socialists, Eneko Andueza, has described it as "a symbol of the Basque Country that began to be born".

Since the PP, Laura Garrido has highlighted Garaikoetxea's role in a "transcendental" period in which dialogue and consensus took precedence.

For its part, Eusko Alkartasuna has highlighted the contribution of its Secretary General, Eba Blanco, to the reconstruction of the country after Francoism.

Finally, it highlights the role of Podemos Euskadi in the Transition and the creation of the first pillars of the Basque public system.