EH Bildu criticised for dismissing legacy of Basque leader José Antonio Agirre

During a ceremony in Bilbao marking the 131st anniversary of the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) foundation, PNV president Aitor Esteban accused the separatist party EH Bildu of long‑standing neglect of the legacy of former Basque president José Antonio Agirre and other historic figures. He said Bildu had previously “denigrated, ignored or directly fought” Agirre’s memory but now seeks to appropriate it, citing recent proposals such as Bildu spokesperson Pello Otxandia’s call to name the Loiu airport after Agirre and leader Arnaldo Otegi’s references to Agirre at various commemorations. Esteban listed additional PNV icons—including Koldo Mitxelena, Gerardo Bujanda, Xabier Arzalluz, and Juan José Ibarretxe—asserting that their heritage belongs solely to the PNV.