Lehendakari Patxi Lopez calls early election for October 21st

Basque Country's regional president Patxi Lopez announced an early election vote to the 75-seat Basque Parliament for next October 21st, five months early than scheduled.

"We have met all our main goals and is time to renew the contract with the Basque society", Patxi Lopez told a news conference on Tuesday.

The day of reflection, or election day eve, will mark a year since the armed Basque group ETA announced the "definitive cessation of its armed activity."

Lopez's announcement puts an end to the rumors of an early vote that have been going on since PP leader in the Basque Country Antonio Basagoiti announced that the conservative party withdrew its support to Lopez.

Patxi Lopez and other PSOE politicians had several times ruled out early elections despite their party's minority (25 seats) in the 75-seat Basque parliament.

Euskobarometer

A sociological statistical survey conducted by the Department of Political Science of the University of the Basque Country conducted July 4 to 11 showed the Basque Nationalist Party PNV would win an upcoming vote with 23-24 seats (32 percent) but would fall short of absolute majority.

The poll results showed the Basque socialist party PSE, in power since 2009, would see a significant reduction in the number of seats it occupies in the parliament, 17 seats (20 percent) compared to the 25 seats they have now.

PNV would be followed closely by the pro-independence Basque left-wing coalition EH Bildu with 22 seats (24.7 percent). PP would win 12-13 seats (14 percent) and minority parties Ezker Anitza and UPyD would loose their representation in the Basque chamber. The number of people declining to vote would remain at around 35%.