Spain’s Basques form 125-mile human chain calling for independence vote
Tens of thousands of people hold hands to demand referendum
Tens of thousands of people from Spain’s Basque region have joined hands to form a human chain extending 125 miles in order to call for an independence referendum.
The protest, organised by Basque separatist group Gure Esku Dago (In Our Own Hands), stretched from Donostia (known in Spanish as San Sebastian) to the Basque parliament in Gasteiz.
Reuters says that “while most from the Basque Country, which already has a high level of self-determination and, like Catalonia, has its own language and culture, do not support independence, many believe the population should be given the right to vote”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Earlier this year the Basque nationalist terror group ETA announced it was formally disbanding.
Calls for a vote on Basque nationality will provide a early test for Spain’s new prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, who ousted his predecessor Mariano Rajoy in a vote of no confidence which he narrowly won thanks to support from Basque and Catalan nationalists.
Rajoy was roundly criticised for his heavy-handed approach to last year’s Catalan independence referendum which saw police clash with protesters.
The ballot on Catalonia's separation from Spain and consequent unilateral declaration of independence by the regional government prompted Madrid to take control of the region and arrest the civil servants involved in the vote.
Sanchez will be looking to avoid a similar showdown in the Basque region which already enjoys relative autonomy. However, he is expected to take a similar line to his predecessor and maintain that any ballot on regional independence is illegal under the Spanish constitution.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Being nosy 'helps you live longer'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
New app tells you when's the best time for a toilet break during a film
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Gaza hospital blast: What the video evidence shows about who's to blame
Speed Read Nobody wants to take responsibility for the deadly explosion in the courtyard of Gaza's al-Ahli Hospital. Roll the tape.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giraffe poo seized after woman wanted to use it to make a necklace
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Helicopter sound arouses crocodiles
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Woman sues Disney over 'injurious wedgie'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Emotional support alligator turned away from baseball stadium
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published