Bloque Nacionalista Galego
Encyclopedia
The Galician Nationalist Bloc is a Galician nationalist
coalition of political parties. It is self-defined as a "patriotic front".
Formed in 1982, under the guidance of historical leader Xosé Manuel Beiras
, the BNG advocates for further devolution
of powers to the Parliament of Galicia
and the official and unambiguous recognition of Galicia as a nation
. The BNG also promotes affirmative action
for the Galician language
. The current leader - president of the National Council and national spokesperson - is Guillerme Vázquez.
From 2005 to 2009, BNG was one of the two partners
in the Galician government
, where Anxo Quintana
was the vice-president of Galicia.
independent members and a number of political parties. Traditionally, the largest party and main ideological influence has been the Unión do Povo Galego (UPG) (Galician People's Union). In origin, the UPG, and consequently the BNG, were strongly left-winged, and even supported the idea of Galician independence
. Yet, from 1990 BNG has gradually abandoned the secessionist discourse and claims for self-determination
are rarely produced, especially since the regionalist
party Unidade Galega (Galician Unity) joined the coalition. According to its former leader, Anxo Quintana, BNG is not an independentist
party, yet some individuals and organizations within it may express a sympathy for the idea.
Generally speaking, the BNG can be considered a nationalist, mildly pro-independence, left-wing and pro-European
party.
, achieved almost 25 per cent of the total vote and 18 seats (out of 75) at the Parliament.
After the 2001 Galician elections the BNG still was the second largest political group in the Galician Parliament with 17 seats, slightly ahead of the Socialist Party of Galicia
(PSdG) in total votes. Yet, it was in 2005 when BNG could force a coalition government
despite losing four seats and slipping to the third place. Anxo Quintana became then the vice-president of Galicia and BNG could directly appoint a number of conselleiros (ministers) for some departments of the government. Prior to that, the other major Galician party, the conservative People's Party
(PPdeG), had remained in control of the overall majority and therefore of the Galician government
. In the 2009 elections, a sharp reduction in votes for the PSdG, together with bad results for the BNG (12 seats), forced the left-wing coalition out of government, being replaced by the PPdeG.
BNG won 208,688 votes (11.37 per cent of the Galician vote, 0.8 of the Spanish total) in the 2004 Spanish general election, gaining two of the 350 seats in the Spanish Parliament
. Results in the 2008 Spanish general election were slightly improved (+0.7 in Galicia), although resulting in the same number of seats. Results in local elections have traditionally been good, with a constant increase on the number of seats achieved, allowing BNG to govern or to, at least, take part in the government coalitions of most Galician large urban centres.
BNG lost its single Member of the European Parliament
, Camilo Nogueira, in the 2004 European Parliament election
. However, BNG's interests are still represented thanks to an alliance established with the Basque Nationalist Party
and the Catalan Convergence and Union. BNG maintains regular contact with its European group, the European Greens–European Free Alliance
, through a permanent representative in the chamber.
The party also has a designated seat at the Spanish Senate
, out of the three allowed for Galician representatives.
BNG regulates itself by local, regional and national assemblies, where members can vote and be voted to become regional delegates and thereafter members of the National Council. However, the internal functioning of the party has come into criticism in recent years. As a reaction to that two new organizations claiming for "transparency and internal democracy" have formed within the BNG. Namely these are: Encontro Irmandinho (led by former BNG president Xosé Manuel Beiras), Movemento Pola Base (formed by grassroots members and backed by the youth section Galiza Nova), and A Alternativa (supported by former MEP
Camilo Nogueira). Furthermore, Anxo Quintana's leadership has been questioned after the bad results following the Galician 2009 elections.
Joint affiliation with other political groups outside the BNG is not allowed. The political groups currently recognised by the BNG (via a lengthy ratification process) are:
Galician nationalism
Galician nationalism is a political movement arguing for the recognition of Galicia as a nation. The political movement referred to as modern Galician nationalism was born at the beginning of the twentieth century from the idea of Galicianism.- Ideology :...
coalition of political parties. It is self-defined as a "patriotic front".
Formed in 1982, under the guidance of historical leader Xosé Manuel Beiras
Xosé Manuel Beiras
Xosé Manuel Hixinio Beiras Torrado - commonly known as Xosé Manuel Beiras or simply Beiras - is a Galician politician, economist, writer and intellectual. He is professor of Structural Economy at the Faculty of Economic Sciences of the University of Santiago de Compostela...
, the BNG advocates for further devolution
Devolution
Devolution is the statutory granting of powers from the central government of a sovereign state to government at a subnational level, such as a regional, local, or state level. Devolution can be mainly financial, e.g. giving areas a budget which was formerly administered by central government...
of powers to the Parliament of Galicia
Parliament of Galicia
The Galician Parliament is the unicameral legislature of the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain. It is formed by 75 deputies . Deputies are elected every four years in ordinary period, or extraordinarily upon dissolution and call of elections by the President of the Xunta of Galicia, by...
and the official and unambiguous recognition of Galicia as a nation
Nation
A nation may refer to a community of people who share a common language, culture, ethnicity, descent, and/or history. In this definition, a nation has no physical borders. However, it can also refer to people who share a common territory and government irrespective of their ethnic make-up...
. The BNG also promotes affirmative action
Affirmative action
Affirmative action refers to policies that take factors including "race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or national origin" into consideration in order to benefit an underrepresented group, usually as a means to counter the effects of a history of discrimination.-Origins:The term...
for the Galician language
Galician language
Galician is a language of the Western Ibero-Romance branch, spoken in Galicia, an autonomous community located in northwestern Spain, where it is co-official with Castilian Spanish, as well as in border zones of the neighbouring territories of Asturias and Castile and León.Modern Galician and...
. The current leader - president of the National Council and national spokesperson - is Guillerme Vázquez.
From 2005 to 2009, BNG was one of the two partners
Coalition government
A coalition government is a cabinet of a parliamentary government in which several political parties cooperate. The usual reason given for this arrangement is that no party on its own can achieve a majority in the parliament...
in the Galician government
Xunta de Galicia
The Xunta de Galicia is the collective decision-making body of the government of the autonomous community of Galicia, composed of the President, the Vice-President and the specialized ministers ....
, where Anxo Quintana
Anxo Quintana
Anxo Manuel Quintana González, commonly known as Anxo Quintana, is the former leader of the Galician Nationalist Bloc , the main nationalist party in Galicia...
was the vice-president of Galicia.
Ideology
The BNG is composed by a majority of grassrootsGrassroots
A grassroots movement is one driven by the politics of a community. The term implies that the creation of the movement and the group supporting it are natural and spontaneous, highlighting the differences between this and a movement that is orchestrated by traditional power structures...
independent members and a number of political parties. Traditionally, the largest party and main ideological influence has been the Unión do Povo Galego (UPG) (Galician People's Union). In origin, the UPG, and consequently the BNG, were strongly left-winged, and even supported the idea of Galician independence
Independence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
. Yet, from 1990 BNG has gradually abandoned the secessionist discourse and claims for self-determination
Self-determination
Self-determination is the principle in international law that nations have the right to freely choose their sovereignty and international political status with no external compulsion or external interference...
are rarely produced, especially since the regionalist
Regionalism (politics)
Regionalism is a term used in international relations. Regionalism also constitutes one of the three constituents of the international commercial system...
party Unidade Galega (Galician Unity) joined the coalition. According to its former leader, Anxo Quintana, BNG is not an independentist
Separatism
Separatism is the advocacy of a state of cultural, ethnic, tribal, religious, racial, governmental or gender separation from the larger group. While it often refers to full political secession, separatist groups may seek nothing more than greater autonomy...
party, yet some individuals and organizations within it may express a sympathy for the idea.
Generally speaking, the BNG can be considered a nationalist, mildly pro-independence, left-wing and pro-European
Pro-European
Pro-European is a subjective term applied to a person who supports the idea of European unification and generally supports further 'deepening' of European integration, specifically in the context of political argument over the current and future status of the EU and its policies.-The Pro-European...
party.
Electoral evolution
BNG began its electoral history in a quite modest way. However, it quickly progressed from a single seat in the Galician Parliament to its best results in 1997 when, under the leadership of Xosé Manuel BeirasXosé Manuel Beiras
Xosé Manuel Hixinio Beiras Torrado - commonly known as Xosé Manuel Beiras or simply Beiras - is a Galician politician, economist, writer and intellectual. He is professor of Structural Economy at the Faculty of Economic Sciences of the University of Santiago de Compostela...
, achieved almost 25 per cent of the total vote and 18 seats (out of 75) at the Parliament.
After the 2001 Galician elections the BNG still was the second largest political group in the Galician Parliament with 17 seats, slightly ahead of the Socialist Party of Galicia
Socialist Party of Galicia
The Socialist Party of Galicia is a centre-left political party in Galicia, Spain. It is the Galician affiliate of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party . It defines itself as a Galicianist and social democratic party.-External links:Official*...
(PSdG) in total votes. Yet, it was in 2005 when BNG could force a coalition government
Coalition government
A coalition government is a cabinet of a parliamentary government in which several political parties cooperate. The usual reason given for this arrangement is that no party on its own can achieve a majority in the parliament...
despite losing four seats and slipping to the third place. Anxo Quintana became then the vice-president of Galicia and BNG could directly appoint a number of conselleiros (ministers) for some departments of the government. Prior to that, the other major Galician party, the conservative People's Party
People's Party of Galicia
The People's Party of Galicia is a centre-right political party in Galicia, Spain. It is the Galician affiliate of the Spanish People's Party....
(PPdeG), had remained in control of the overall majority and therefore of the Galician government
Xunta de Galicia
The Xunta de Galicia is the collective decision-making body of the government of the autonomous community of Galicia, composed of the President, the Vice-President and the specialized ministers ....
. In the 2009 elections, a sharp reduction in votes for the PSdG, together with bad results for the BNG (12 seats), forced the left-wing coalition out of government, being replaced by the PPdeG.
BNG won 208,688 votes (11.37 per cent of the Galician vote, 0.8 of the Spanish total) in the 2004 Spanish general election, gaining two of the 350 seats in the Spanish Parliament
Spanish Congress of Deputies
The Spanish Congress of Deputies is the lower house of the Cortes Generales, Spain's legislative branch. It has 350 members, elected by popular vote on block lists by proportional representation in constituencies matching the Spanish provinces using the D'Hondt method. Deputies serve four-year terms...
. Results in the 2008 Spanish general election were slightly improved (+0.7 in Galicia), although resulting in the same number of seats. Results in local elections have traditionally been good, with a constant increase on the number of seats achieved, allowing BNG to govern or to, at least, take part in the government coalitions of most Galician large urban centres.
BNG lost its single Member of the European Parliament
Member of the European Parliament
A Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
, Camilo Nogueira, in the 2004 European Parliament election
European Parliament election, 2004
Elections to the European Parliament were held from 10 June 2004 to 13 June 2004 in the 25 member states of the European Union, using varying election days according to local custom...
. However, BNG's interests are still represented thanks to an alliance established with the Basque Nationalist Party
Basque Nationalist Party
The Basque National Party is the largest and oldest Basque nationalist party. It is currently the largest political party in the Basque Autonomous Community also with a minor presence in Navarre and a marginal one in the French Basque Country...
and the Catalan Convergence and Union. BNG maintains regular contact with its European group, the European Greens–European Free Alliance
European Greens–European Free Alliance
The Greens European Free Alliance is one of the parliamentary groups in the European Parliament....
, through a permanent representative in the chamber.
The party also has a designated seat at the Spanish Senate
Spanish Senate
The Senate of Spain is the upper house of Spain's parliament, the . It is made up of 264 members: 208 elected by popular vote, and 56 appointed by the regional legislatures. All senators serve four-year terms, though regional legislatures may recall their appointees at any time.The last election...
, out of the three allowed for Galician representatives.
Elections to the Galician Parliament
| Year | Votes (in thousands) | Percentage | Deputies |
| 1985 | 52 | - | 1 |
| 1989 | 105 | 8 | 5 |
| 1993 | 269 | 18.3 | 13 |
| 1997 | 395 | 24.8 | 18 |
| 2001 | 346 | 22.4 | 17 |
| 2005 | 311 | 18.8 | 13 |
| 2009 | 268 | 17 | 12 |
Elections to the Spanish Parliament
| Year | Votes (in thousands) | Percentage | Deputies |
| 1986 | 27 | 2.11 | 0 |
| 1989 | 47 | 3.59 | 0 |
| 1993 | 126 | 8.01 | 0 |
| 1996 | 220 | 12.85 | 2 |
| 2000 | 306 | 18.62 | 3 |
| 2004 | 208 | 11.37 | 2 |
| 2008 | 212 | 12.07 | 2 |
Elections to the European Parliament
| Year | Votes (in thousands) | Percentage | Deputies |
| 1987 | 45 | 3.7 | 0 |
| 1989 | 38 | 4.17 | 0 |
| 1994 | 32 | 11.4 | 0 |
| 1999 | 335 | 21.98 | 1 |
| 2004 (*) | 141 | 12.32 | 2 |
- The 2004 candidature was a joint candidature with CatalanCataloniaCatalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
and BasqueBasque Country (autonomous community)The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
parties, hence the disparity between number of votes and number of seats achieved. Those 2 MEP, were members of the Basque Nationalist Party and of Convergencia i Unió (Catalan nationalist). Neither of them are members of the BNG.
Local elections
| Year | Votes (in thousands) | Percentage | Councillors |
| 1983 | 49 | - | 0 |
| 1987 | 61 | 4.53 | 139 |
| 1991 | 107 | 7.71 | 241 |
| 1995 | 208 | 13.15 | 428 |
| 1999 | 290 | 18.54 | 586 |
| 2003 | 325 | 19.41 | 595 |
| 2007 | 315 | 19.15 | 661 |
Internal organization
Member of the European Parliament
A Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
Camilo Nogueira). Furthermore, Anxo Quintana's leadership has been questioned after the bad results following the Galician 2009 elections.
Joint affiliation with other political groups outside the BNG is not allowed. The political groups currently recognised by the BNG (via a lengthy ratification process) are:
- Galician People's UnionGalician People's UnionThe Galician People's Union is a Galician nationalist and communist political party, and is one of the registered political parties of Spain.It was founded in 1964 with the intention of the independence of Galicia and its transformation into a socialist state. It caused the creation of nationalist...
(Unión do Povo Galego, UPG) - communistCommunismCommunism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production... - Nationalist Left (Esquerda Nacionalista, EN) - social democraticSocial democracySocial democracy is a political ideology of the center-left on the political spectrum. Social democracy is officially a form of evolutionary reformist socialism. It supports class collaboration as the course to achieve socialism...
- Galician UnityGalician UnityGalician Unity was a Galician nationalist and social democratic political coalition formed by the Galician Workers Party, Galician Socialist Party, and Partido Galeguista in 1979....
(Unidade Galega, UG) - social democratic - Socialist Collective (Colectivo Socialista, CS) - socialistSocialismSocialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
- InzarInzarInzar is a political group created with the union of the Communist Movement of Galicia and the Revolucionary Communist League of Galicia. It was constituted as political party in 1991 linked to Izquierda Alternativa. In 1993 it was integrated in the BNG, and it always had a little political weight...
(I) - formed through the merger of the Galician branches of the MaoistMaoismMaoism, also known as the Mao Zedong Thought , is claimed by Maoists as an anti-Revisionist form of Marxist communist theory, derived from the teachings of the Chinese political leader Mao Zedong . Developed during the 1950s and 1960s, it was widely applied as the political and military guiding...
Communist MovementCommunist MovementCommunist Movement was a political party in Spain...
(Movimiento Comunista, MC) and the TrotskyistTrotskyismTrotskyism is the theory of Marxism as advocated by Leon Trotsky. Trotsky considered himself an orthodox Marxist and Bolshevik-Leninist, arguing for the establishment of a vanguard party of the working-class...
Revolutionary Communist League (Liga Comunista Revolucionaria, LCR) - Galician Nationalist Party-Galicianist Party (Partido Nacionalista Galego-Partido Galeguista, PNG) - liberal democratLiberal democracyLiberal democracy, also known as constitutional democracy, is a common form of representative democracy. According to the principles of liberal democracy, elections should be free and fair, and the political process should be competitive...
- Galician Movement for Socialism (Movemento Galego ao Socialismo, MGS)- communistCommunismCommunism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
External links
- BNG website
- UPG website
- Galiza Nova, youth section of the BNG
- PNG website
- Encontro Irmandinho
- Movemento Pola Base
- "Quin TV", multimedia portal of BNG's president Anxo QuintanaAnxo QuintanaAnxo Manuel Quintana González, commonly known as Anxo Quintana, is the former leader of the Galician Nationalist Bloc , the main nationalist party in Galicia...
- "TeleBNG", BNG's channel in YouTube
See also
- Galician nationalismGalician nationalismGalician nationalism is a political movement arguing for the recognition of Galicia as a nation. The political movement referred to as modern Galician nationalism was born at the beginning of the twentieth century from the idea of Galicianism.- Ideology :...
- Xosé Manuel BeirasXosé Manuel BeirasXosé Manuel Hixinio Beiras Torrado - commonly known as Xosé Manuel Beiras or simply Beiras - is a Galician politician, economist, writer and intellectual. He is professor of Structural Economy at the Faculty of Economic Sciences of the University of Santiago de Compostela...
- Anxo QuintanaAnxo QuintanaAnxo Manuel Quintana González, commonly known as Anxo Quintana, is the former leader of the Galician Nationalist Bloc , the main nationalist party in Galicia...
- Camilo Nogueira
- Parliament of GaliciaParliament of GaliciaThe Galician Parliament is the unicameral legislature of the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain. It is formed by 75 deputies . Deputies are elected every four years in ordinary period, or extraordinarily upon dissolution and call of elections by the President of the Xunta of Galicia, by...
- Xunta de GaliciaXunta de GaliciaThe Xunta de Galicia is the collective decision-making body of the government of the autonomous community of Galicia, composed of the President, the Vice-President and the specialized ministers ....