After knowing that Juan José Ibarretxe will be the candidate of the PNV for the fourth time, the characterization of this new session is what remains in the air now. It will be determined little by little, but it will always have to be adapted to the desires of the two main sensitivities within the PNV: The sober vision that Ibarretxe himself has led in the last two legislatures and the typical pragmatism of the PNV that today represents the BVV.

In the first place, this pragmatism implies a commitment to the election of Ibarretxe for the elections, even if sometimes uncomfortable, because he is the strongest leader among the nationalists today. And on the other hand, to counter the votes of the PSOE and the PP, because the current tenant of Ajuria Ene is the most effective bet for the collection of votes.

The first indicator of this is EA: Joseba Azkaga has already started campaigning for a coalition with the PNV. And while EA is determined to go alone, it is very possible that the 2001 and 2004 coalition will finally be re-established.

Even beyond his party, Ibarretxe has a good image and a following, and the truth is that the nationalist forces will need tiradizos to maintain the momentum of the PSE. It is true that Patxi López is very far from the charism that Ibarretxe has, but it is also true that the PSE is showing results higher in recent elections, whether these are of one type or another. The socialists hold this line firmly,
saying that the results are the fruit of social change and that the patriots do not realize it. Patxi López has gained a solid image within the Socialists, although it has been heard that they could also present a better candidacy for the presidency, especially in the area of Bizkaia: With a young bet like Eduardo Madina, many believe that the PSE would form a more solid alternative.

Although the popularity of Ibarretxe exceeds tenderly the ranks of the nationalists, the failures of the Ibarretxe Plan and the Consultation Law have greatly eroded its image, especially because this firmness of principles has not managed to give continuity in political practice for the time being.

The PSE does not want to form a Spanish coalition with the PP in 2001, but in the background it is the same bet they offered to Basque society, especially when the PSOE has completely rejected the Loyola process.

As in 2001, fierce competition is foreseen this time, especially when ENAM will still face very serious difficulties in establishing its representation. In this sense, El País published last Sunday that the nationalist left is already beginning to prepare a completely clean list. Even if the list is complete, everything indicates that this time no channels will be allowed.