The power of the PNV has increased markedly in this year’s municipal and foreign elections. It is enough to put together the maps of four years ago and those of now to realize that. Probably the most significant change in municipalities is seen in Gipuzkoa. In 2011, Bildu made a big leap in this territory, becoming almost a monochrome in his favor. The many municipalities that the coalition achieved by an absolute majority and the fact that the Council was also in its hands revolutionized the Gipuzkoan policy in some respects. But now in many villages – and in the Council – the government will change color, and EH Bildu will no longer be able to govern with that transformation.

The PNV has recovered in Gipuzkoa some of the villages it has had in the past (Tolosa, Azkoitia, Ordizia…) and has won in others where the Abertzale left feels strong, being the most significant case Arrasate (25,000 inhabitants). In Bizkaia they have also fled to EH Bildu Gernika, Lekeitio, Sopela… On the contrary, the PNV remains hegemonic in most of this territory. Something similar has happened in Álava, but to a lesser extent: The PNV recovers Salvatierra and Aiara, while EH Bildu, for example, remains the first force in Laudio.

Management subjects

The conflict between the PNV and EH Bildu in recent years has been a significant leap for the Jeltzales as a whole. Still, the coalition has won over 300,000 votes and has become the most voted force in Gipuzkoa and Navarre. But that's not a comfort. Sortu President Hasier Arraiz spoke on the election night with a high level of criticism: He acknowledged that "many things have been done wrong" and that emphasis has been placed on the management of the company.

When talking about management, it seems that Arraiz has focused on waste. Many think that the scandal that has occurred in several localities around Puerta a Puerta has harmed EH Bildu. Plastic bags on the balconies, mass collection of signatures… In Legazpi, for example, a great campaign was made by some media against this system, and the same in Pasaia, Bergara... On the other hand, in villages that have had living and autonomous movements from the outset in favour of the rational management of waste (Usurbil, Hernani, Oñati…) EH Bildu has resisted. It can be a subject.

Allegations of fraud have no bill

However, in the light of the election results, it seems that not all the alleged misrepresentations have been punished equally, not even those that have ended up in the courts. In the case of Bidegi, several members of the PNV are involved in the evidence of fraud detected in the works of the AP-1. In recent weeks the Council of Gipuzkoa directly indicated two Jeltzales candidates: Eneko Goia from Donostia and Felix Urkola from Lazkao. However, both have achieved good results and will be in power.

Unlike the PP, which has disappeared in many municipalities, allegations of corruption have not been taken into account by the PNV. Although his colleagues are involved in cases such as Epsilon or Hiriko’s, the number of votes in 2011 has been easily matched in Álava and has added more councillors.

The PSE-EE is still downhill

The results obtained in the municipalities of Gipuzkoa have somehow disguised the umpteenth failure of the Socialists. Over 6,000 votes have been cast in this territory and they have managed to have sufficient force to govern Lasarte-Oria, and win in Pasaia, where the PSE-EE has doubled the result. The case of some municipalities in Oarsoaldea can be analysed in more detail: in the last elections the turnout was very low in this region, but this time it has risen much more than the average and there have been great changes in the political map.

But Idoia Mendia's party is not rocking. In Bizkaia and Álava, tens of thousands of fewer votes were recorded than in 2013. The party that once won completely in the Left Margin barely maintains control of Portugalete today, since in the fifth large city of Hego Euskal Herria, in Barakaldo, it has been technically tied with the PNV.

In 2011, Sestao’s loss was painful for the socialists. Four years later, the PNV has increased the difference, or rather, the mayor of the PNV, Josu Bergara. In Vitoria-Gasteiz, as in recent times Maroto (see table), Sestao Bergara has on several occasions launched racist messages. We have heard him say, for example, when we talk about immigrants and gypsies, that “that shit” is not going to enter the village. However, when he has been sued for this reason, the National High Court has held a applause abroad. Result: It has gone from 8 to 13 councillors.

Changes in Navarre also in municipalities

In Navarre, change will not only be reflected in Parliament. In many municipalities there have been opportunities to overthrow UPN (Estella, Tafalla...) and that will help the daily management of the possible government of Uxue Barkos. Meanwhile, EH Bildu has obtained an absolute majority in 25 municipalities, while Geroa Bai has achieved it in three other municipalities.

In any case, both in Navarre and in the other territories, the strength of the ballot box must now be measured, not only to form municipalities, but also to ensure the control and operation of a large number of communities, public societies and consortia that are basic in the management of services (water, waste, transport, slaughterhouses, Euskaltegis, industrial polygons...). And there can be key, with or without the support of Podemos, the platforms that have achieved councillors in eleven municipalities.