In statements to Ensure Irratia, Eider López, a member of the EHE Group in Senpere, stated that although the Basque College has made the language known, it has no competence to do so, as it is the structure of the French State.

According to Eider López, “France has not considered the Basque Country to be official, and it will not interpret it. What is more, in the meetings of the Basque College we must speak in French with the electorate and the minutes are written in French only.”

To change the situation of Zuberoa, Lapurdi and Baja Navarra, the members of EHE have a goal similar to the demonstration last March in Pamplona: “In Pamplona the official position was demanded for the whole of Navarre, here too the official status of the Basque Country is essential.”

The EHE spokesman says that the time has come to break the “path of disobedience” with the events of recent weeks: “If Matxikote’s example is what the elected Abertzale has done at the Village House of Uztaritze.”

In the words of EHE, “as long as Euskal Herria is oppressed by the two states, Euskera will be a second-class language, dependent on French and Spanish. The only way to achieve the official status is through the independence of the Basque Country.

If not sovereign, the Basque right in the administration will always be limited. “French National Education with SEASKA shows that teachers’ jobs are not accepted.”

However, while Euskal Herria is on the path of independence, he looks favourably at the joint work between local institutions and the popular movement. Euskaraldia initiative, for example.

EHE has no relationship with the Basque College, but does not rule out doing something with it: “We believe that this institution can take further steps in favor of the Basque Country and we are willing to work on that path,” concluded Eider López.