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Spain's PM Rajoy gets mixed regional poll results | Spain's PM Rajoy gets mixed regional poll results |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Nationalist parties in Spain's Basque Country have won regional elections, an outcome expected to fuel calls for independence. | Nationalist parties in Spain's Basque Country have won regional elections, an outcome expected to fuel calls for independence. |
The conservative Basque Nationalist Party came top in the poll, closely followed by the Euskal Herria Bildu coalition of left-wing separatists. | The conservative Basque Nationalist Party came top in the poll, closely followed by the Euskal Herria Bildu coalition of left-wing separatists. |
In Galicia's regional poll, the centre-right People's Party of PM Mariano Rajoy held on to its absolute majority. | In Galicia's regional poll, the centre-right People's Party of PM Mariano Rajoy held on to its absolute majority. |
The elections are seen as a key test of the government's austerity policy. | The elections are seen as a key test of the government's austerity policy. |
The Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) won 27 seats in the regional parliament, while Bildu took 21. | The Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) won 27 seats in the regional parliament, while Bildu took 21. |
The opposition Socialist Party trailed in third place with 16 seats, followed by the People's Party (PP) with 10. | |
Big headache | Big headache |
The Basque elections have been described as a landmark by analysts. | The Basque elections have been described as a landmark by analysts. |
Bildu was established following the Spanish government's decision to ban the political wing of the armed separatist group Eta nearly 10 years ago. | Bildu was established following the Spanish government's decision to ban the political wing of the armed separatist group Eta nearly 10 years ago. |
The party represents the political ambitions of those who in the past supported Eta, although unlike its predecessor, it has publicly condemned the use of violence for political ends. | The party represents the political ambitions of those who in the past supported Eta, although unlike its predecessor, it has publicly condemned the use of violence for political ends. |
Both Bildu and PNV are expected to form a coalition, and may then push for a referendum on independence, the BBC's Tom Burridge in Madrid reports. | Both Bildu and PNV are expected to form a coalition, and may then push for a referendum on independence, the BBC's Tom Burridge in Madrid reports. |
This would cause a big headache for the central government in Madrid, especially as the result comes weeks before elections in another Spanish region, Catalonia, where calls for a referendum on independence are also growing, our correspondent adds. | This would cause a big headache for the central government in Madrid, especially as the result comes weeks before elections in another Spanish region, Catalonia, where calls for a referendum on independence are also growing, our correspondent adds. |
PNV leader Inaki Urkullu gave little away about any coalition plans, but told a post-election rally in Bilbao: "A new era has started". | PNV leader Inaki Urkullu gave little away about any coalition plans, but told a post-election rally in Bilbao: "A new era has started". |
Laura Mintegi, head of the Bildu coalition, told supporters: "It is time to start thinking as a people, as a nation. It is time to stop the orders from Madrid". | Laura Mintegi, head of the Bildu coalition, told supporters: "It is time to start thinking as a people, as a nation. It is time to stop the orders from Madrid". |
Away from the Basque Country, Mr Rajoy enjoyed poll success in his native Galicia after his PP gained three extra seats, to secure 41 seats in the 75-member regional assembly. The Socialists took 18 seats, while two nationalist parties secured 16 seats. | Away from the Basque Country, Mr Rajoy enjoyed poll success in his native Galicia after his PP gained three extra seats, to secure 41 seats in the 75-member regional assembly. The Socialists took 18 seats, while two nationalist parties secured 16 seats. |
Spain has been in economic difficulty since the 2008 global financial crisis caused a big crash in the property market, triggering huge losses at its banks. | Spain has been in economic difficulty since the 2008 global financial crisis caused a big crash in the property market, triggering huge losses at its banks. |
Its recession is forecast to deepen, and the country's 17 regional governments are laden with heavy debts. | Its recession is forecast to deepen, and the country's 17 regional governments are laden with heavy debts. |
Unemployment stands at about 25% nationally, and 21% in Galicia. There have been widespread protests against public spending cuts. | Unemployment stands at about 25% nationally, and 21% in Galicia. There have been widespread protests against public spending cuts. |