- The leaders of the Basque Nationalist Party speak out with the Spanish Government every time there are times of negotiation and at that time they appear to be the most intense calling for the transfers of competences agreed in the Gernika Statute. However, despite the fact that so many decades have passed, this statute remains unfulfilled on some thirty issues. And it seems that the acquisition of some of these issues is long-term, such as the transfer of social security management, “it is not urgent” for both governments, because of their supposed “complexity”.
Last week the Joint Transfer Commission met in Bilbao, after more than seven years of work. They have only managed to complete a timetable in which neither the drawing up of the economic system of social security is planned. According to Lakua’s spokesman, he is in no hurry, “even if we don’t give up on it.” How are they going to give up if it is agreed and signed forty years ago? What a shame! And the president of the PNV said the previous day aloud that the 30 competences had to be transferred ... But now both governments agree that it is not urgent. Ask the pensioners.
This disgraceful and scandalous situation holds those responsible, not only from the Spanish Government. The main responsibility for non-compliance with the Statute lies with the governments that agreed and signed it, the Spanish and the Basque Autonomous Community, and the party that supports the latter. Some are responsible for not transferring the agreed competences and others for not having put enough pressure on this important subject that has been pending for many years. Not transferring social security is a breach of the Gernika Statute.