The socialist PSN party's candidate for the presidency of the regional government of Navarra, Fernando Puras (main photo), resigned yesterday as a direct result of the decision of the national party's Federal Executive Committee to veto a pact agreed locally to govern the region at the head of a tripartite coalition with the Basque nationalist Nafarroa Bai coalition and the United Left (IU).

The region will now be ruled by a minority UPN (the Navarra branch of the Partido Popular) government despite their failure to secure an absolute majority at the 27th May elections, although they gained more votes than any of the other parties.

At a press conference in Pamplona yesterday to announce his resignation, Mr Puras, who used to enjoy the firm support of both party leader, José Rodríguez Zapatero and Organisation secretary, José Blanco, warned of the possibility that "some kind of alternative party from within the ranks of those who believe in socialist ideology" may be formed in the wake of the recent crisis.

Nationalists call for new elections after socialist coalition veto
By: thinkSPAIN
Saturday, August 4, 2007

The Basque nationalist Nafarroa Bai coalition is calling for new elections to be held in Navarra after the Federal Executive Committee of the PSOE vetoed yesterday a possible coalition agreed earlier this week between the regional socialist PSN party, Nafarroa Bai and the IU United Left parties.

As things stand now, the region will be continue to be governed by the UPN, which is the regional branch of the Partido Popular, who gained the most votes, but failed to achieve an absolute majority at the 27th May local and regional elections.

At a press conference yesterday, Nafarroa Bai leaders, Patxi Zabaleta (second photo) and Maiorga Ramírez, read out a prepared statement which attributed the "frustrated" attempt to build a "plural and progressive government that would work towards achieving respect and peace" to "the centralising and electoral interests of the PSOE."

The party will continue to "fight politically against the most rancid right that governs us which has benefited from the cowardice of the centralism and political selfishness of the PSOE," the statement continued.

President Zapatero does not escape criticism; he is accused of: "failing to keep his word. Once again, he has failed to fulfil his promise because he said he would respect the decision of the political organs of the PSN in Navarra and he has been unable to do so."

PSOE to veto pact with nationalists to resolve Navarra govt. crisis
By: thinkSPAIN
Friday, August 3, 2007

At a meeting in Madrid later today, the Federal Executive of the PSOE party is expected to veto the agreement reached last Wednesday evening between the local branch of the party (PSN) and the nationalist Nafarroa Bai to form a tripartite coalition to govern Navarra with the IU United Left party.

It seems that the region, which has been without a government since the 27th May elections ended in deadlock, will be ruled by a minority right wing UPN administration - the UPN being the Navarran branch of the Partido Popular.

President Zapatero was unwilling to comment on the issue yesterday and has delegated responsibility to Organisation minister, José Blanco (third photo).

If the formation of the region's new government has not been decided by the 18th August, the elections will have to be be re-held.