The lehendakari, Imanol Pradales, calls on the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, not to be "distracted by judicial cases" because it would be "a serious mistake" given the "acquired commitments" with Euskadi. At the same time, he calls on EH Bildu to "put on their hard hats and promote housing construction where they govern".
In an interview with the newspaper Deia, in the middle of the legislature, Pradales believes that Pedro Sánchez must clarify what is happening in his circle and that he "should have already done so" and be "exemplary". He recalls that on the 24th he will appear in Congress and emphasizes that what he presents then will be decisive. "Transparency, speed, and exemplary conduct are very important. And that must be demanded of Sánchez," he adds.
Regarding the possibility of calling for early elections, he maintains that, "whether one likes it or not," that power belongs exclusively to the President of the Government. He warns that if he does not manage to "give some meaning to the rest of the legislature and give it some order and purpose, the legislature will enter a phase of chaos and decomposition that will not do any favors, not to the Socialist Party nor to the President of the Government."
As for whether an eventual call for elections could jeopardize the transfer schedule, he stresses that Sánchez remains president and "must not be distracted."
"To the extent that he is governing, he must be very clear that judicial cases cannot distract him from the commitments acquired with us and with Euskadi. It would be a serious mistake on his part to be distracted and not attend to the commitments acquired with Euskadi and with this lehendakari because he is busy with other things," he warns.
Regarding pending transfers, he emphasizes the importance of reaching the summer and the bilateral summit "with politically significant agreements" on Social Security and Ports. He details that next week the Minister of Self-Government, Maria Ubarretxena, will hold meetings in Madrid and it will be necessary to see if "there is any significant movement" and if they receive "answers."
Pradales recalls that the agreed transfer schedule to complete the Statute before December 31, 2025, has not been met. He adds that, in addition to these statutory matters, there are other issues to be agreed upon, such as immigration, the recognition of Euskadi as a northern border, and the official status of the Basque language in Europe. "We still have many open folders," he acknowledges.
Battery of measures against inflation
In relation to the package of 36 measures that he presented last Monday to Pedro Sánchez to combat inflation derived from the crisis due to the war between the US and Iran, he explains that the president replied that same day assuring that he would take the document into account and that the central Executive would also prepare an anti-crisis decree.
"Let's see what happens. Our responsibility is to offer a shield to the pockets of Basque families against the impact that is coming on domestic economies, on electricity bills, on gas bills, and also on the bills of Basque electro-intensive industry," he emphasizes.
When reviewing the halfway point of the legislature, the lehendakari highlights that the sociometers reflect the trust of citizens in the Basque Government and in an Executive "on the move that faces problems, that does not shy away from them, that has a roadmap and a project for Euskadi."
He indicates that in the first two years they have focused on "addressing the urgent" and that, in the second half of the mandate, they must continue with the necessary transformations to "achieve a future of well-being."
Housing and the role of EH Bildu
Regarding the housing situation, he admits that resolving the problem will take time because "there are no magic formulas." He recalls that for many years, little public protection housing or free market housing has been promoted, which has generated a supply deficit. He assures that they have launched the 1,000 initiatives planned in the government program in this area and emphasizes that institutional cooperation is essential, with town councils as "a key piece."
In this context, he points out that more than 100 town councils are governed by EH Bildu, a party that "is making a complete U-turn in its discourse on housing, because two years ago in the government program it clearly stated that no more housing should be built."
"We have seen that it has made a 180-degree turn in its discourse. The change is welcome, but it cannot remain in discourse. It must pick up the construction helmet, get its overalls dirty, and set an example by promoting the construction of new housing in the town councils where it governs," he emphasizes.
Regarding the conversations about a new Statute, he positively values that the parties have been negotiating for months and considers that a new status should include a bilateral system of relations with the State, a guarantee mechanism, and the recognition of the national identity of Euskadi.
Doctors' strike and health conflict
Given the doctors' announcement to continue strikes in September, he admits his concern about the possibility of them becoming indefinite. He explains that the conflict arises when the Minister of Health, Mónica García, decides to promote a framework statute for health personnel, for which he considers her responsible for the situation. Therefore, he demands that she withdraw that statute, and that she "not see it as a failure, but as a first step to seek a solution".
"If she does, Euskadi will accompany the Ministry and the Spanish Government in that search for a solution, starting from scratch. And if she doesn't, I think the minister should step aside," indicates Pradales, who believes that the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, should take the lead on this matter because "he is setting fire to public healthcare throughout the State."
Concern about the Ertzaintza
The lehendakari also admits that he is concerned about "targeting of the Ertzaintza and its officers" and detects attempts at "instrumentalization of the Ertzaintza by those who have never believed in it as a comprehensive police force and also by those who have historically fought against the Ertzaintza, because they understood it to be 'the enemy of the Basque people'."
After noting that a political culture "far from a culture of coexistence and respect for a police force" persists, he warns that he is concerned that this summer the festive spaces and txosnas will be used to generate "targeting, incidents, or disorder."
"We cannot allow it and we will not allow it," indicates Pradales, who sees a "risk" of clashes occurring that end up being directed against the Ertzaintza and mentions a "known confrontation between the GKS and Ernai worlds regarding festive spaces, venues, and txosnas."