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Juan José Ibarretxe

Juan José Ibarretxe Markuartu (born 15 March 1957)[1] is a former president of the Basque Autonomous Community in Spain.[2] Also a leading member of the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) during the period, he held office from 2 January 1999 to 7 May 2009. Ibarretxe is an advocate of Basque independence by peaceful means.[2]

Juan Jose Ibarretxe

Idoia Zenerrutzabeitia Beldarrain

José Antonio Ardanza

Patxi López

José Antonio Ardanza

Jon Imanol Azúa

Idoia Zenerrutzabeitia Beldarrain

Juan José Ibarretxe Markuartu

(1957-05-15) 15 May 1957
Llodio, Álava, Spain

PNV

Begoña Arregui

Lehendakari[edit]

On 28 March 1998, he was nominated PNV presidential candidate to compete in the October 25 Basque election, and became lehendakari (president) on 2 January 1999. In October 2003 he released the highly controversial Ibarretxe Plan (Plan Ibarretxe), which foresaw a future Basque country freely associated with Spain, with its own separate legal system and European Union (EU) representation. In October 2007 while in office he was prosecuted for holding talks with other political agents in search for a compromise leading to peace, considered illegal by the judge for the participation of former members of Batasuna.[3]

Private life and hobbies[edit]

Ibarretxe grew up speaking only Spanish, but now speaks Basque acceptably and English. He is an avid cycling fan and has presided over a cycling club in Llodio. He is married and has two children. He is a non-practising Roman Catholic.

Basque nationalism

Politics of Spain

Dada, Kamil (25 January 2008). . Stanford Daily. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011.

"Basque leader's visit stirs protest"

U.S. Institute of Peace, June 2006 (Audio, Remarks and Photos)

New Opportunities for Peace in the Basque Area: A Discussion with Juan José Ibarretxe