Andoni Ortuzar (San Fuentes, 1962) intends to continue leading the Basque Country’s main political party, the PNV, despite growing rumors in recent weeks that his resignation was taken for granted. announced this Saturday. He has served three terms as chairman of Euzkady Bull Batsar (EBB), which he took office in January 2013, and although he has started as the favorite, there is a possibility that important alternative candidates may emerge2. Must be approved in round process. In his letter, he said his membership was “free to choose”, but he also acknowledged that he had reflected on it and that his political expectations had been “fulfilled”.
Mr. Ortuzar’s continuity stands in contrast to the arguments he used to justify his proposal to replace Iñigo Urkul with Imanol Pradales as Lehendakari’s candidate. He has repeatedly said in several interviews that long-term leadership is needed and that he is talking about two or three terms to make way for a new generation. Furthermore, in the recent territorial renewal process, the PNV also changed four of its five presidents, including those of the three most relevant organizations: Vizcaya, Gipuzkoa and Alaba. He himself believes that there were voices supporting a complete renewal, including his own position.
“In order to protect the public image of the PNV, respecting the party constitution and, above all, respecting the freedom of the fighters to think of and propose names without reservation, I have remained silent throughout this process. Pressure from the media and the inevitable need for information from many of you has led me to make my decision public. This has not been easy, because in recent weeks I have personally taken the decision to listen to our militant opinions, to emphasize the times and internal rules of the party. I’ve limited myself to what I have to respect. Now, it’s time to express myself. Four years ago, I asked my closest allies in the party to take the time to advise them on the changes and replacements I thought were necessary for Alderdi, as their deployment could take longer. He said he recommended recommending to the executive a new executive who could take the reins. 4 years. The majority opinion was different and I accepted it. We are also in the midst of a pandemic, in a very complex situation, and we believe that in order to face the looming challenges as a party and as a society, it is wiser to maintain internal stability. I had to reconsider my position. . Thus, we entered the third period. It has been a very complicated four years both politically and socially. We had to make a lot of different decisions internally and in terms of organizational policy. I’m not going to go into all of these analyzes and their results. With governments across Europe in a post-pandemic situation, and with our party managing to retain virtually all institutional representation, we have reached our political zenith in 2019. Remember, we’ve been through the 2020 election cycle since then. ” Ortuzar started.
And he continued: “The process of transformation and change that we have carried out over the past three years, both within our organization and at our territorial headquarters within the country, has enabled us to take on a large part of ‘Echekolanac’. You can face this new mission. Things are going well. Now, the first big question is how to create consistency with what has been done so far in the EBB chairman election and the eight National Brukid seats. How far should I go with the required updates? Throughout the last few weeks, so many Alderdikides have contacted me to share their answers to these questions. Simply put, there are two positions. Those who believe that the change must be comprehensive start with the EBB chairman himself. And those who consider it very dangerous to change everything at the same time and propose a “mixture” of renewal and continuity (as opposed to continuity). Both groups offer compelling reasons to defend one option or the other. And both are perfectly legal and defensible in Congress starting next week. ”
“Personally,” the letter continues, “regardless of what decisions may concern me personally, it has been and continues to be an honor for me to serve this party. Those who know me know that I am an optimist at heart and am always passionate about what I do, no matter what it is. is PNV and PNV I believe in the future, without the slightest doubt. And I believe in the work of political change. […]. I have been Chairman of EBB for 12 years and have been through a lot in that time. My colleagues at EBB are aware of my position, which was expressed at the meeting held on 8 July and approved last Monday. I have a lot of ego that everyone has. To be honest, I believe that my dedication and dedication to the cause of Abartsar and Jelkid has also been proven. Now it’s time to listen to the suggestions that come up in Batsoki. I will respond to whatever this party needs. Wherever members believe I can be most helpful, I will be there. So it’s your time and your decision. Whatever you decide is fine. ”
2 round process
This Monday, San Sebastian Day, the first round of voting for the new Euzkadi Bru Batsal election process begins. The base is by “Batsoki” “Batsoki” proposes presidential candidates. Anyone who is supported in three of these chambers can choose to advance to the second and final round. The procedure is expected to be completed by the end of March. In the recent process of territorial acquisition, important divisions have emerged that will undoubtedly be repeated against Ortuzar.
Mr. Ortuzar joined the PNV in 1979, and its constitution and statutes were recently approved. Since he was still a minor, he could not vote for them. Previously, he was already active in the nationalist youth organization EGI. He is a journalist “by profession and calling.” In many interviews and interventions, he jokes about how he would title his speeches, always with the support of a “prompter”. In recent years, especially since his decision to drop Urukul as a candidate for Lehendakari, he has raised concerns about “information leaks” and accused certain media outlets of trying to undermine the PNV. His future had been in doubt for months, but he and a small group of collaborators tried to hide the news even from the leaders who had the power to control the times.
Ortuzar practiced his profession in the newspaper “Deia”, close to the PNV. Then, after the split of the EA that rewarded a generation faithful to the acronym, Ortuzar joined the Basque government, first in the field of communications and later assigned to President José Antonio Aldanza as head of external activities. The party then appointed him director general of the Basque public radio and television station EiTB. “It took me a lot of effort to get pretty good at Basque,” he says of the language, which is not his first language, although he now uses it regularly in public.
Mr Ortuzar, who has two daughters, has always insisted on remaining a member of the trade union ELA, which was once associated with the PNV and now acts as a counterbalance to the left. Athletic Club is like a religion to him, but he’s also a cycling fan and considers himself an “average music lover”. He loves “good food” and poteo, and in a previous campaign compared his belly to that of his pregnant partner Maitan Ipinyazar, and is prone to jokes and wordplay. It is a tradition to hold costume parties with different themes at Sabin Echea every Carnival. He is part of a generation of leaders of the Vizcaya PNV known as “Jobis”, young Burquides born in Vizcaya. They were active in the 1960s and became famous after they disbanded.
There is another part of this process: a political reset. The PNV has already submitted five draft documents to strengthen its social and institutional leadership. Although they are not definitive documents, some of them include the use of more “simple” communications, the party’s celebrations (many of which are related to Catholic relations and Sabino Arana). There were notable reflections, including calls for a rethink or even a “cleaner” batzoki. ‘. It was also suggested that in the face of demands for stricter term limits, the PNV should not shoot itself in the foot or limit itself if its political rivals do not. Across the street, Arnaldo Otegui, also in his 60s, will continue to lead EH Bildou.
