Row in Spain over San Sebastian as European culture capital

Jun 30, 2011, 12:41 GMT

Madrid - A controversy was raging in Spain on Thursday over the choice of the Basque city of San Sebastian as the European Culture Capital in 2016.

An international jury comprising 13 experts announced earlier this week that San Sebastian - a seaside resort of 185,000 residents - would share the title with the Polish city of Wroclaw. The choice still needs to be confirmed by the European Union.

Several other Spanish cities competing for the title criticized the choice of the northern town, governed by the Basque separatist alliance Bildu.

Bildu has links with Batasuna, the illegal political wing of the armed separatist group ETA.

The Spanish government took legal action to prevent Bildu from contesting May 22 local elections, but the Constitutional Court overturned a ban imposed by the Supreme Court.

The separatist alliance rose to become the Basque region's second-biggest political force, taking power in San Sebastian and dozens of smaller municipalities.

Jury president Manfred Gaulhofer praised San Sebastian's efforts to overcome its violent history, sparking accusations in Spain that the jury had been influenced by political considerations.

Several cities requested an explanation from the jury. Zaragoza Mayor Juan Alberto Belloch threatened legal action unless it took a new decision.

Teresa Jimenez Becerril, a Spanish conservative member of the European Parliament, said it was an 'incredible mistake' to raise San Sebastian's international profile at a time when it was being governed by 'the accomplices of ETA.'

Jimenez Becerril vowed to challenge the jury's choice in the European Parliament.

Culture Minister Angeles Gonzalez-Sinde said the European Commission needed to 'analyse' the case.

Cities designated European culture capitals organize special cultural events throughout the year. The title, which has been awarded since 1985, is currently held by Turku in Finland and Tallinn in Estonia.

San Sebastian is one of the Basque cities hit hardest by the violence of ETA, which has killed about 850 people since 1968. The group has observed a ceasefire since September.