Galician Independence Back on the Agenda After Historic Elections

Ógra Shinn Féin sends our congratulations to the Bloque Nacionalista Gallego and EH Bildu after their historic Galician and Basque Parliamentary election results. While best wishes are rightly to be sent to Bildu having consolidated their position as second largest party in the Legebiltzarra, the biggest breakthrough for Left-wing nationalism came several hundred kilometres to the west.

Independence is now firmly back on the agenda in Galicia after a very strong performance from the BNG who managed to win 19 seats, their highest ever seat total since Galician autonomy was achieved after the death of Franco, and are now the second largest party in the Galician Parliament. In an historic election which saw just three political parties gain any seats, they will now be a strong voice as leaders of the opposition against the Neoliberal Partido Popular and their aggressive attempts to centralise Spanish rule.

The phrase Ní neart go cur le chéile perfectly epitomises the collaborative approach of Bildu, BNG and their Catalan counterparts in the ERC to achieving their common objectives. Similar to Sinn Féin, the BNG are not just a voice for Galician Independence. They are a voice for a political alternative which seeks to put the interests of ordinary Galician citizens ahead of large corporations. Environmentalism, Feminism and Anti-Imperialism are also key tenants of their platform along with moves to preserve the Galician culture and language.

While these election results are not near a decisive blow against Spanish rule, Spanish nationalists will certainly have to sit up and be worried about the potential for the growth of a concerted Independence Movement in Galicia. Ógra Shinn Féin looks forward to continuing to work with our Galician, Basque and Catalan Comrades.

le Ciarán Ó Meachair, Oifigeach Idirnaisiúnta