Spain Tried to Outlaw Its Separatists: Now They Call the Shots.

Arnaldo Otegi, the leader of the Bildu party in the Basque region of Spain, is on the verge of a major political upset as his party leads in the polls ahead of the upcoming elections. This marks a significant moment for Otegi and the leftist flank of the Basque nationalist movement. The rise of smaller interest groups and separatist concerns has disrupted Spain's traditional two-party system, forcing the main parties to navigate a complex web of alliances. The success of Bildu threatens the pro-business incumbents, the PNV, and could lead to a reevaluation of their relationship with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. However, the Socialists are expected to remain loyal to the PNV despite their ideological compatibility with Bildu, as many voters believe Bildu has not fully rejected the violence of the Basque terrorist group ETA. The outcome of the elections will determine the future political landscape in Spain. [Extracted from the article]