THANK YOU AND SEE YOU SOON

By Javier Rojo. President of the Senate 

A lifetime dedicated to politics. It is difficult to make a full stop to such a complex but rewarding journey. In all these years, I have been a part of numerous stages and events. From the newborn democracy to a more than likely encouraging future for Euskadi. The passing of the Constitution and of the Statute, the attempted coup d’état, the consolidation of democracy and our access to Europe, are some of the facts I have had the opportunity to experience first-class. This and many other things make me feel a privileged person.

Through these lines I would like to, in the first place, thank the Senate for all the opportunities it has given me to be part of the political and social construction of this country. Now that I have decided to step aside I would like to commemorate the role and legacy of all those who, betting in favour of society, have been killed by the terrorist group ETA. 

When someone decides to end a period of his life, images and memories follow one another, showing a path through all the things one has gone through, granting more value to aspects not attended at the time. Thus, for someone who has dedicated more than three decades to politics, the fact of having to defend this public service is difficult. It is a necessary, essential and respectable activity. Politics is an honourable job. It is, or should be, the exercise of enabling a solution to people’s problems; it is the art to build citizenship; it is a necessary and completely free vocation. I understand it is time to value it for what it is, to recognize its need and to stress the legitimacy of those who honestly have decided this to be their public service option.

Politics has been my life, my passion and my entire vocation. Perhaps many times it has prevented me from being with my family, my people, but now it is time to step aside and make way for others. I do it in coherency with each and every speech made.

It is necessary to make the renewal proposed by the society a reality. Politics has more rooms in which to contribute, work and bet for. I am a politician who believes in what he says and takes it to its final conclusion. I will continue nurturing my commitment, defending my ideals, underpinning values and respecting my party and society.

And now, in times of difficulties, I allow myself to dream about politics being recognized and respected; that politics be human and full of soul, and based on democratic institutions that respect the value of words. I allow myself to dream about political parties that give precedence to the general interest beyond the party’s interests when trying to obtain consensus in the interest of all. In short, to turn the political dedication into a public service, far from particular interests, disrespectful confrontations and, thus, more and more closer to citizens.

I am aware of the fact that during so many years of responsibility and public representation I may have made mistakes. I take this opportunity to apologize for those mistakes; and, if made, they were never intended but a result of the complications and tensions that in too many occasions inundate political actions.

I have only one more thing to say to all of you: thank you and see you soon!

Javier Rojo. President of the Senate.