Joseba Egibar resigns to continue leading the PNV of Gipuzkoa after almost four decades of control

Joseba Egibar (Andoain, 1959) will promote the most symbolic territorial replacement in the PNV within the internal process initiated these days. The veteran nationalist leader resigns from continuing to lead the Gipuzkoa organization, as reported by EiTB. It is a position that he accepted after the split of EA in 1987, and from which he only left for a brief period, from 2000 to 2004, although he continued in other positions of responsibility. Egibar was already relieved in the recent regional elections of his seat in Parliament, which he acceded to in 1990. He had been the speaker in the Chamber in recent decades.

Also marching with Egibar are Itxaso Atutxa in Bizkaia, José Antonio Suso in Álava and Peio Etxeleku in Iparralde. Yes, Unai Hualde will continue, who is also the president of the regional Parliament. This territorial process is prior to what will come later, starting in November, to renew the Euzkadi Buru Batzar. The continuity of Andoni Ortuzar is up in the air, who has led the party for three terms and who has said that he has made the decision, although he has not transferred it.

Egibar has been the most orthodox representative of the PNV’s sovereigntist sector. He came to fight for control of the party with Josu Jon Imaz and from that battle came a tacit internal pact of power sharing and non-aggression that has been maintained until now. For years, the leader of Gipuzkoa has been able to place people of his utmost confidence in institutional positions. The best example of this is the president of the Basque Parliament, Bakartxo Tejeria. A few days ago, María Eugenia Arrizabalaga, one of his closest collaborators and who is in all the pools to replace him, resigned in the Chamber.

Egibar will also be immortalized as the one who defended those involved in corruption in the ‘De Miguel case’, the largest plot involving party officials. Those convicted were related leaders who then controlled the Álava apparatus. Alfredo de Miguel, the person most responsible for the events investigated, received a warm hug from Egibar when he went to the investigation commission opened in Parliament. Arrizabalaga was also there.