BILBAO, Spain (AP) — Thousands of separatists have rallied in the troubled northern Basque region to demand from the government that it allows a newly launched pro-independence party to run in upcoming elections.
Those behind the party, called Sortu, insist it rejects armed group ETA’s violence and hence merits legal status and the right to field candidates in May election.
However, Spain’s attorney general on Friday said it was merely a repackaged version of Batasuna, a party banned in 2003 on grounds it was part of ETA.
Protesters are gathering Saturday in port city Bilbao under banners reading, "Toward peace, legalization."
ETA declared a cease-fire in September and went further in January by calling it permanent.
