Imanol Pradales: "New European leadership needed that transcends state-centric visions”

• The President of the Basque Country calls for genuine multilevel governance in the EU during Paris visit, enabling political and financial co-decision
• He advocates for prioritising political dialogue, restoring prestige to institutions, treating the public with maturity and strengthening the culture of agreement

President Imanol Pradales today championed the need to achieve a new European leadership that "overcomes state-centric visions" and empowers institutions such as the Basque Government, a direct actor in managing residents' concerns, with "greater political capacities".

"A new and stronger European leadership is needed. A leadership that acts in European, not merely national, terms. The answer to global challenges, to populism, to extremism, to threats to democracy, must not be isolation. The opposite should be the case: more Europe, more democracy, more solidarity, more welfare", stated the President, adding that precisely in this context we must respond to the needs of citizens through empathy, proximity and efficiency. It is therefore necessary, in his opinion, "to offer greater political capacities to those of us who are on the front line of contact with citizens.” "True strategic autonomy requires political autonomy", he insisted.

This morning, the Lehendakari delivered a lecture titled 'Euskadi in the Face of a Changing World Order' at the Paris School of International Affairs Sciences Po (Sciences Po Paris), one of the most prestigious university institutions in France and Europe. Moderated by Arancha González Laya, former Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs and current Dean of the institution, Imanol Pradales argued before a capacity audience of around one hundred people that Basque society has demonstrated throughout its history that "Euskadi is a pro-European nation by vocation and conviction" that wants to contribute to the founding principles of the European Union with its own input.  "We need a new political impetus, a Europe that is more determined and united than ever," he said, recalling that "with political will, anything is possible".

"I agree with reviewing and improving the Union's cohesion policy, but I strongly oppose the proposal that decision-making power for the new European financial framework should be transferred exclusively to national capitals, as proposed by the Commission. There is an urgent need for true multilevel governance that allows for co-decision in political and financial terms", said Imanol Pradales.

In the President's opinion, Europe cannot be a mere 'club of states' and must respond to any challenge it faces, regardless of its magnitude. "The lack of a strong and coherent position erodes the credibility of the European project. The reaction to the humanitarian barbarism in Gaza has been one of the clearest examples," he stressed.

For Imanol Pradales, "we are at a time for action and action requires clear priorities", including in the area of strategic autonomy in key areas such as competitiveness, market integration, where he believes administrative and bureaucratic barriers remain that prevent us from being more effective in innovation and the creation of economic activity, and governance. "We must go beyond the unanimity rule in the European Union. It is often used to block initiatives selfishly. A rule that hampers decision-making and prevents the EU from exercising international leadership," he argued.

Finally, the President insisted on the need to promote political dialogue, to give prestige to institutions, to treat the public with maturity, and to strengthen the culture of agreement, "the true raison d'être of politics". "More politics versus 'anti-politics'. Respect, participation, transparency and collaboration. In the face of trenches, insults and permanent confrontation. Our responsibility is to cultivate a culture that favours stability, dialogue and agreement between differing views; to promote the true meaning of politics: the 'spirit of compromise' with those who think differently", Imanol Pradales concluded in his speech.

Agenda for the Day

This morning, the President held a working meeting at the Jacques Delors Institute, a leading centre for reflection on the future of the European Union. There, the President shared Euskadi's vision of the main European challenges, such as industrial competitiveness, territorial cohesion and ecological transition.

At 15:00, the Lehendakari will also meet with Carole Delga, President of the Association of French Regions, to discuss the common challenges facing European regions in terms of decentralisation, cohesion and mobility. The agenda for the first day of the official trip will end at 19:00 with a meeting with the Basque diaspora in Paris, organised by the Delegation of Euskadi in France and the Pariseko Eskual Etxea, which will serve to strengthen ties with the Basque community living in the neighbouring country.

Wednesday’s Agenda

Tomorrow, Wednesday 19, the President will hold a meeting with Catherine Chabaud, recently appointed Minister of State for the Sea and Fisheries in the Government of the French Republic, with whom he will discuss cooperation in European and maritime matters, in order to materialise the future creation of the Atlantic Macroregion.

Imanol Pradales will also meet with Valérie Pécresse, President of the Île-de-France Regional Council, with whom he will analyse opportunities for collaboration in innovation, sustainable development and the knowledge economy. Île-de-France, whose capital is Paris, is the main economic region of France and one of the most important in Europe.

The trip will culminate with the celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Etxepare Euskal Institutua at the National Library of France (BnF), an event that symbolises the international projection of the Basque language and culture. The event, which will be attended by the First Vice-President of the Basque Government and Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Language Policy, Ibone Bengoetxea, will be attended by the President of the BnF, Gilles Pécout. With this visit, the President reaffirms Euskadi's commitment to Europe, to its diaspora and to the international promotion of its cultural identity.