French court repeals official status for Basque in Uztaritze municipality

  • Basque language had been declared official alongside French in June 2014 · Court says "serious doubt on the legality of the decision exists" · Municipality says linguistic normalization plans to go ahead despite ruling


2015eko urtarrilaren 29an - 23:55

The Administrative Court of Pau has annulled a decision by the Uztaritze municipality to declare Basque as the official language of this North Basque town, alongside French. According to Sud Ouest newspaper, the court argues that "a serious doubt on the legality of the decision exists."

The decision was approved by 22 of 29 town councilors in June 2014. Granting Basque official status was a manifesto commitment by the current mayor Bruno Carrère, who led an abertzale (Basque patriotic) list.

But immediately after the Uztaritze municipality announced official status for the language, Bayonne Sub-Prefect Patrick Dallennes asked the court to annul it on the grounds the decision was illegal and anticonstitutional.

The French Constitution only recognizes French as the country's official language, while declares "regional languages" to be a "heritage of France."

Uztaritze Deputy Mayor Maite Haran said the court's decision "is not a surprise." Haran added that the normalization of the Basque language in the municipality will go ahead anyway.

The municipality has a two-month deadline to file an appeal. Haran asked for support from other municipalities.

(Image: Uztaritze town hall / photo by Harrieta171.)


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