PARTIES in Spain’s Basque region prepared for horse-trading yesterday after a key regional election served up a dramatic shift in their political landscape — a rebuke to the nationalists pushing for autonomy, and the emergence of a little- known, pro-independence party as possible kingmaker.

The Basque parliament has approved a proposal for virtual independence from Spain, with last-minute support from a formerly-banned party seen as the political wing of the separatist group ETA.

The Basque parliament tonight approved a proposal for virtual independence from Spain, with last-minute support from a formerly banned party seen as the political wing of the separatist group ETA.

Basque MPs gathered today to vote on a hotly-contested plan that would turn their troubled region into a virtually sovereign state – the stiffest challenge to the Spanish government since the Basque country gained broad autonomy 25 years ago.