Carlos Garaikoetxea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carlos Garaikoetxea Urriza
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Garaikoetxea in 2011
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| 3rd Lehendakari of the Basque Country | |
| In office 2 May 1979 – 26 January 1985 |
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| Vice President | Mario Fernandez (1979-1985) |
| Preceded by | Jesús María de Leizaola |
| Succeeded by | José Antonio Ardanza |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 June 1938 Pamplona, Navarre, Spain |
| Political party | PNV (until 1985), EA (1985 - ) |
| Spouse | Sagrario Mina |
Carlos Garaikoetxea Urriza (born June 2, 1938) is a former politician from the Basque Country in Spain. He became the second elected Lehendakari, which means President, of the Basque Autonomous Community. He held this important position from 1980 to 1985.
Contents
Early Life and Political Start
Carlos Garaikoetxea was a key leader in the Basque Nationalist Party (EAJ-PNV) in Navarre between 1975 and 1980. In 1979, he was chosen to be the president of the Basque General Council. This was a temporary group that helped prepare the Basque Country to gain more self-governing powers. This happened before the special law called the Statute of Autonomy of the Basque Country was approved.
Becoming Lehendakari
Once the Statute of Autonomy was approved, Garaikoetxea was elected Lehendakari in 1980. He was re-elected for a second term in 1984.
Leading the Basque Government
During his time as Lehendakari, the Basque Statute of Autonomy was put into action. This law gave the Basque Country more control over its own affairs.
New Public Services
As President, Garaikoetxea started the public radio and television service, EiTB, on December 31, 1982. Many important self-governing groups were also created during his leadership. These included the Basque Public Health System, known as Osakidetza. He also helped create the Ertzaintza, which is the Basque police service.
Handling Challenges
In August 1983, the city of Bilbao experienced severe floods. Carlos Garaikoetxea managed both Basque and Spanish emergency teams to help solve the problems caused by the floods. The economy of the region also improved during his term. This was partly due to changes in the Basque "Concierto Económico," a special financial agreement. The Basque language was also made a strong part of the Basque education system.
Changes in Political Parties
In 1985, Carlos Garaikoetxea had major disagreements with the leaders of his party, the EAJ-PNV. These disagreements were about new laws and a personal conflict with the party president, Xabier Arzalluz. This led to a big split within the party.
Forming a New Party
Garaikoetxea led one of the groups that left the EAJ-PNV. This group had strong support in Gipuzkoa, Navarre, and Vitoria-Gasteiz. He was replaced as Lehendakari by José Antonio Ardanza in 1985. Soon after, the split in the party was complete. Garaikoetxea then helped found a new political party called Eusko Alkartasuna. He became its president and was a candidate for the Basque Presidency. He continued in this role until 1999, when he retired from politics. He was elected as a representative in the Basque Parliament in many elections until 1998. He also served as a Member of the European Parliament from 1987 to 1991.
See also
In Spanish: Carlos Garaikoetxea para niños
- Spanish transition to democracy
- Statute of Autonomy of the Basque Country
