“The pro-constitution government formed by the PSE and PP came in three years ago with no programme of government. It has been a government with no shared strategy, especially in the field of the economy. The two parties represent two different models in theory.  We now know that those two models have failed, if indeed they exist at all. They have been unwilling to deal realistically to the economic crisis that they have found themselves facing. These two parties joined forces in Euskadi three years ago. They spoke of a new model, they spoke of normality, they spoke of responding to people’s real problems. They talked and they talked. But they did nothing. And the results are plain to see. People in Euskadi have more problems now than they did three years ago”.

Mr. Urkullu stated that in his opinion “the Basque government criticises the Rajoy government for its cutbacks, for borrowing and for putting forward tax increases as the sole solution. But the Basque government is also cutting back, borrowing and asking to raise taxes. We do not share the policy of the Spanish government, but nor do we share that of the Basque government. It is worth recalling one or two points, even though they may already be well known: the PSE and PP approved the 2010 budget with all its cutbacks, its deficit and its borrowing. The PSE and PP approved the 2011 budget, with all its cutbacks, its deficit and its borrowing. And they approved the current 2012 budget. This year’s cutbacks, deficit and borrowing were approved by the PSE and PP. They did this together and they did it on their own. They refused to accept any of our proposals or amendments. Now they seek to make us forget this fact. And they do so because they don’t like it. They want to hide the evidence. But they’re not going to manage it”.