The Basque Nationalist Party, following the general ratification of the sanctions imposed by the National Court of Álava in the De Miguel case by the Supreme Court, has published the note. By stating that he “accepts” the judicial decree, “proclaims” that “any ethically reproachable practice, contrary to the objective of working in the service of citizens, is outside the practices and aspirations of the Basque Nationalist Party”.

Nothing to see the parties

The PNV considers that the ruling of the Supreme endorses the innocence of the party, because it would demonstrate that “this case has nothing to do with the PNV, as a political party, or with its funding. Neither in the opening order of the oral trial, nor in the judgment of the Provincial Court of Álava, nor in the judgment of the Supreme Court because no reference has been made to it.” The PNV has also expressed its support for the thousands of “men and women” who are part of the party, claiming their “honesty” and “cleanliness”.

The ruling of the Supreme considers the political influence of the three main defendants of the lawsuit in the PNV and the Public Administration to enrich themselves: “The three defendants, in use of the political influence of the Basque Nationalist Party as a member of the Algerian executive, and political cooperation with people with important positions in the autonomous and municipal administration, or the award of service contracts to entrepreneurs.”

Pardon

In any case, the PNV recalled that in 2019, after hearing the convictions of the High Court of Justice of Álava, EBB president Andoni Ortuzar and lehendakari, Iñigo Urkullu, asked for forgiveness from Basque society for the “practices that were then judged”. This request for forgiveness has been endorsed by the PNV “before the Basque society as a whole”.

Expulsion procedure

The PNV recalled that in March 2010, the public and internal responsibilities of the parties under trial were abolished and membership was suspended, and assured that it will begin the expulsion process from now on: “As the judgment is signed, the final expulsion of the Party before the relevant internal court and in accordance with the provisions of the Statutes in force”.