Nationalists and Socialists at loggerheads over presidency of Basque Country

For the first time since Spain's transition to democracy in 1975, non-nationalist parties have gained overall majority in the Basque regional parliament.

The combined seats of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSE-EE), the Conservative Party (PP) and the new right-wing Progress and Democracy Union (UPD) could see the non-nationalists ruling in the Basque country with a combined majority of 38, just barely seizing overall majority from the remaining four parties, who have 37 between them.

However, negotiations for who will carry the mantel of lehendakari continue and Zapatero has declined to intervene in talks between the Socialist candidate Patxi Lopez and current premier Juan José Ibarretxe as he is aware this could actually weaken his position in the national parliament.

Zapatero now runs the risk of losing the support of an angry Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) in the national parliament. Without a clear majority, the Socialists rely on smaller parties including the PNV to pass legislation.

"The Socialist government could end up practically without any stable allies in the lower house of parliament, and it will be forced to handle the economic crisis from a very precarious position," wrote Barcelona newspaper La Vanguardia.

The PNV, which has so far failed in its attempt to hold a referendum on the region's ties with the rest of Spain, warned Zapatero not to try to form a regional coalition at its expense.

However, Socialist candidate Patxi Lopez refuses to renounce his claim to the post of president and warned Ibarretxe not to be over-zealous, "as if there is some biblical prophecy that says that if the PNV does not govern, the gates of hell will open."