(CPOD) Dec. 2, 2003 – Residents of the Basque Country are divided over an autonomy proposal recently tabled by the community’s president, according to a poll by Isabel Bergaretxe published in the newspapers of Grupo Vocento. 50 per cent of respondents in the Spanish region support the plan presented by Juan Jose Ibarretxe, while 49.7 per cent oppose it.
(CPOD) Dec. 2, 2003 – Residents of the Basque Country are divided over an autonomy proposal recently tabled by the community’s president, according to a poll by Isabel Bergaretxe published in the newspapers of Grupo Vocento. 50 per cent of respondents in the Spanish region support the plan presented by Juan Jose Ibarretxe, while 49.7 per cent oppose it.
On Oct. 25, Ibarretxe released a document that aims to redefine the region’s relationship with Spain. The most debated topic in the proposal calls for the Basque Country to attain a special status as an “associated state” of Spain, rather than as a community.
Basque sovereignty remains a difficult issue in Spain, as political parties and armed group Basque Motherland and Liberty (ETA) have used different methods to make the case for outright separation.
A push for sovereignty would not get the support of a majority of Basque residents. 54 per cent of respondents say that, if independence were available through a referendum, they would vote to remain a part of Spain.
Polling Data
Would you support or oppose the tabled plan for the Basque Country in a referendum?
Support | 50.0% |
Oppose | 49.7% |
How would you vote if a referendum on independence takes place in the Basque Country?
To remain a part of Spain | 54.0% |
To become independent | 45.6% |
