Pradales warns the Spanish Government: "Governing is not just staying"

Lehendakari Imanol Pradales has called for the culture of the agreement, institutional stability and public-private collaboration as pillars of the development of the Basque Country, during his speech at the Forum El Diario Vasco held in San Sebastián, and has urged the Spanish Government to speed up the process of full compliance with the Gernika Statute and to close the outstanding issues of the bilateral agenda by 31 July.

Pradales has analysed the international context of geopolitical instability, the warin Ukraine, the humanitarian crisisin Gaza, growing competition between powers and the consequences of technological transformation driven by artificial intelligence, robotics or quantum computing.

In this context, it has defended the need to protect democratic values and warned of a "cultural struggle" that calls into question principles such as human dignity, freedom or social justice, as well as political polarization and anger.

Balance of the legislature

Having completed his two-year term, Pradales has made a positive assessment of the action of the Basque Government, highlighting that the GDP of the ACV has for the first time exceeded EUR 100 billion and that there are more than 31,000 people working and contributing, more than two years ago.

It also stresses that the economy has continued to grow while levels of inequality have been reduced, with improvements in various indices and indicators of child poverty risk.

The Basque Institute of Finance has mobilised EUR 400 million, which has made it possible to attract more than EUR 1.2 billion in private investment in sectors such as automotive, industry, shipbuilding, technology and the primary sector.

Defence of indirect agreements

Pradales has stressed that the Basque Government has reached agreements throughout the legislature with various political parties. He has alluded to the pacts with the PP to strengthen the staff of the Ertzaintza and the appointment of the Ararteko, the agreements with EH Bildu to promote the Basque Financial Alliance and the changes made in Osakidetza.

It has also advocated cooperation with social, economic and educational actors to address issues such as health, industry, safety and school segregation.

Housing, security and Euskera, among the main challenges

The Lehendakari has acknowledged that the Basque Country shares some of the greatest challenges of the most advanced societies, such as housing, youth expectations, security, the ageing of the population, care, mental health, emotional well-being or economic and industrial transformation.

To these challenges must be added the impetus of the Basque Country, which has called for innovative and shared responses , and in this regard has highlighted the launch of the Jauzia Gara initiative.

In his speech he also set as an example Gipuzkoa in technological innovation, sustainable mobility and social cohesion, among others, MUBIL, the Quantum Mile, the expansion of the Technology Park or the railway works that will connect various points of Gipuzkoa and Euskal Herria.

"It's time for truth" for self-government

Pradales recalled that in 2026 new transfers and tax agreements were formalized and that the next objective is to close before the end of July the outstanding issues on the bilateral agenda between the Basque Country and the Spanish Government.

The President said that this year must be decisive for compliance with the Gernika Statute , especially in the management of social security, ports and public safety.

He also referred to the political climate in the State and to the cases that have punctuated the current political situation in recent months and, while acknowledging the impact of this information, stressed that allegations of corruption cannot serve as a pretext for stopping political action and failing to comply with commitments made.

"Governing is not just staying, "he said, before urging the Spanish Government to maintain the same negotiating will as the Basque Government to complete the outstanding agreements.