Galicia in Europe
Map of Galician
Comarcas
(regions)
Socialist Nationalist Galician flag,
also called
Bandeira da Pátria or
Estreleira
Galician nationalism is a
political movement claiming for the recognition of Galicia
as a nation. The
political movement referred to as modern Galician nationalism was
born in the beginnings of the twentieth century from the idea of
Galicianism.
Ideology
Historians, geographers and ethnologists recognize the existence of
a
Galician ethnic group, forming a
singular unit in a specific territory. However, this is a wide
conceptualization that in political terms adopt many possible
variants. Inside Galician nationalism two main ideological currents
can be found:
- Autonomist: claims for an extended autonomy
of Galicia, further devolution and (in
occasions) the transformation of Spain
into a
federal state where Galicia would
eventually achieve self
determination.
- Independentist: campaigns for immediate and
total independence from Spain. This
is however supported by a minority of the population.
Both autonomists and independentists have points in common such as
the defence and promotion of Galician culture and
language (where some of them defend
reintegracionism).
Both also claim for
the official and unequivocal recognition of Galicia as a nation and
the defence of Galician speakers outside administrative Galician
territory, namely in Galician speaking areas of the Spanish regions
of Asturias
and Castile and
León
.
It is often considered that the ideological framework of
contemporary Galician nationalism was set in
Castelao's key work
Sempre en Galiza (lit.
"Always in Galicia"), published in 1944.
Political nationalism in society
Nationalism in Galicia received the support of 19% of the
population (Galician General Elections, 2005) and 16% in 2009.From
2005 to 2009 Galicia was ruled by a coalition government between
the socialist
PSdeG-PSOE
and the nationalist
BNG.
Unlike in other Spanish
autonomous communities the
conservative and pro-Spanish
Partido Popular
includes
galicianism as one of
its ideological principles. Even the
Spanish Socialist Party has a quite
strong regional flavour in Galicia. This issue somehow explains
electoral behaviour in Galicia and why nationalist parties have a
reduced representation when compared to Catalonia or the Basque
Country, as voters in Galicia may choose to go for Spanish parties
promoting Galicianism depending on the circumstances.
Spanish parties in
Catalonia
and Basque
Country
, namely the Partido Popular, do not have such a
strong regional identity.A possible explanation for this
political behaviour in pro-Spanish parties is that Galician
identity is so embedded in Galicians that any political party
willing to participate in elections must at least show some degree
of interest in the promotion of Galicianism, although how exactly
this is done may vary greatly.
The Bloque Nacionalista Galego is itself a coalition of parties,
neither of which endorses independence, although some individual
members and parallel organizations within it might support that
idea. At present, BNG claims for further devolution, federalization
and promotion of Galician culture. Other nationalist parties stand
for outright independence, but they only have representatives in
local councils and not in the
Galician Parliament.
The present
Galician
Statute of Autonomy (1981) defines Galicia as a
nationality. The
Galician Government is currently drafting a
new Statute of Autonomy where Galicia will most probably be defined
as a
nation (with declaratory, but not legal
value).
Nationalist political parties and nationalist
organizations
References
- Beramendi, J. and Núñez Seixas, X.M. (1996): O nacionalismo
galego, A Nosa Terra, Vigo.
- García-Álvarez, J. (1998): "Substate nation-building and geographical representations
of 'The Other' in Galicia, Spain (1860-1936)", in
Finisterra, no. 33, issue 65, p. 117-128.
- Fernández Baz, M.A., (2003): A formación do nacionalismo
galego contemporáneo (1963-1984), Laiovento.
- Núñez Seixas, X.M.(1993): Historiographical approaches to
nationalism in Spain, Saarbrücken, Breitenbach.
- Núñez Seixas, X.M.(1999): "Autonomist regionalism within the
spanish state of the Autonomous Communities: an interpretation", in
Nationalism & ethnic politics, vol. 5, no. 3-4, p.
121-141. Frank Cass, Ilford.
- Rios Bergantinhos, N. (2002): A esquerda independentista
galega (1977-1995), Abrente Editora, Compostela.
Notes
- Map from Eurominority depicting European national
minorities
- Facsimile discussing PP's galeguidade
("Galicianness"), by Frans Schrijver
- Galician President Pérez Touriño commenting
Galicianism, from newspaper A Nosa Terra
- Galician President Pérez Touriño (PSdG) discussing
Galicianism, from online newspaper Xornal.com
- Members of BNG's internal organization
Movemento Pola Base displaying a banner where
"Independence and Socialism" can be read
- Discussion on the reform of the Statute. Official
site hosted by the Parliament of Galicia
See also
External links
Wikis
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