Political Coexistence in the Basque Case: Institutional Action on Violence, Pluralism and Agreements

Abstract

After more than forty years of violent conflict, ETA announced in 2011 the definitive cessation of armed activity in the Basque Country and Spain. The announcement raised questions about how to address the violent legacy of the past in a society characterized by pluralism with a history of opposed political sensibilities, and simultaneously, work towards peaceful coexistence. This article examines how the institutional action of, and in, the Basque regional Government and Parliament shaped ‘political coexistence’ between 2011 and 2015. It uses a content/discourse analysis of three institutional initiatives: Working Group for Peace and Coexistence, Ethical Minimum Agreement, and Plan for Peace and Coexistence. These initiatives formed an institutional framework that opened a small but meaningful public space in Basque political institutions and discourse. The article shows how ‘political coexistence’ within Basque institutions is informed by political parties and groups’ experiences, perspectives and positions on violence, pluralism, and agreement/consensus. ETA anuncio en 2011 el cese definitivo de su actividad armada. Surgieron preguntas sobre como abordar el legado del pasado violento en una sociedad caracterizada por la pluralidad, con sensibilidades politicas opuestas, y simultaneamente trabajar por la convivencia pacifica. Este articulo examina como la accion institucional del Gobierno Vasco y del Parlamento Vasco dio forma a la ‘convivencia politica’ entre 2011 y 2015. Se examinan tres iniciativas institucionales: Grupo de Trabajo de Paz y Convivencia, Suelo Etico y Plan de Paz y Convivencia. Dichas iniciativas abrieron un pequeno pero significativo espacio publico en las en las instituciones y el discurso politico vasco. Este articulo demuestra como la ‘convivencia politica’ en las instituciones vascas toma forma segun la experiencia, perspectiva y posiciones de los partidos y grupos politicos sobre violencia, pluralismo y acuerdos/consensos. Available from: https://doi.org/10.35295/osls.iisl/0000-0000-0000-0979