ETA must abandon its armed activity. There is currently no consensus in Basque society that gathers as much consensus as this demand. Each actor has its own reasons, but this affirmation brings together the consensus of almost all Basque citizens. ETA has not yet met this demand, it is on its way or it could be, but we still do not know its real intentions, it has not clearly stated it. But there are many signs that could be on this path, the most important one being the context set by the nationalist left itself; unlike previous processes, this is the most important one this time. And in this way, ETA has just offered a situation that has never before been in hand: a general, permanent and verifiable ceasefire.

If, therefore, the greatest consensus has ever been reached on an issue and the authorities, the main parties and actors, do not show the capacity to guide it, there are serious doubts about what this society can do in a unified way in the future.

It is clear that each one would give its end and evolution to the conflict, this is logical and normal, but it is equally logical to seek consensus on a minimum of bases: the disappearance of expressions of violence, all rights for all, the axes of the new coexistence, the will of the majority of society, the construction of a minimum shared memory... All this must be done before it is too late; but not all at once, it is a process and must be given the character of a process. It makes no sense to wait until ETA announces the closure of its activity. This is a lack of will for this joint process, and anyone who stays long in this game should be made to pay the citizens in the ballot box. It is time to begin a joint solution to the violent conflict, so that each of us in those who differentiate us can continue to defend his own.
Although it seemed to be an evil in advance, and above the media campaign formed, the ETA document has once again managed to create a new environment, at least in the Basque Country. In the short term, however, obstacles and problems abound.

The legalization of the PATRIOTIC LEFT is the most pressing problem. The most humane and effective aspect of the peace process would be the legalization of the new aspect to be presented by the peace process, but if we pay attention to the most significant statements, this does not seem to happen now. Everything indicates that we will once again have before our eyes a judicial game against justice “this yes no this” of the electoral platforms of the Patriotic Left. It will be necessary to see which loopholes the nationalist left will be able to take advantage of and the flexibility shown by the Spanish government to leave loopholes. Without detracting from the strategic value shown by the signatories, the new political agreement presented by the nationalist left, EA and Alternativa in Vitoria-Gasteiz can offer a shelter for the gaps.

The PSOE government wants to take advantage of this situation for the 2012 Spanish general elections, but it seems that it is not yet time to take advantage of it. The Nationalist Left also wants to participate in municipal elections at any cost, but perhaps it will also have to modulate the discourse on elections, because putting too much emphasis on it can also create disillusionment.

The truth, and I don’t know what size, is that in the medium term, the greatest danger for the patriotic left is in possible disillusionment. What would happen when we all believe that ETA’s is no longer going back, if it were to return to the armed struggle? In this sense, the nationalist left and ETA will have to put more clues in their trajectory that will help to overcome these problems of trust that exist in Basque society. The efforts of Lizarra-Garazi and Loyola remain in the minds of the people and the steps to tarnish their memory remain absolutely necessary.