Basque election test for Spain's conservative government Meanwhile in the Basque Country, the second of Spain's 17 autonomous regions to be holding its parliamentary elections on Sunday, cuts handed down from Madrid have stirred nationalist sentiment. Polls indicate that parties supporting Basque self-determination are likely to be the biggest winners. The conservative Basque Nationalist Party, or PNV, which wants greater autonomy for the wealthy northern region looks set to win the biggest share, securing between 24-28 seats in the 75-seat parliament. The newly formed Euskal Herria Bildu, a coalition of three left wing separatist parties, looks set to come a close second. The EH Bildu offers a vehicle for former members of Batasuna, the banned political wing of Basque terrorist group ETA, which last October renounced a violent campaign that has claimed over 800 lives. The changing political scene of the Basque Country promises a significant headache for Madrid coming ahead of elections in Catalonia next month where regional president Artur Mas has vowed to hold a referendum on independence for the region, if his party is re-elected. Warning of the consequences at a rally last weekend Mr Rajoy said: "The biggest mistake we could make is to add a political and institutional crisis to an economic crisis."