# Carlos Garaikoetxea

_Spanish Basque politician (1938–2026)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/carlos-garaikoetxea
Last updated: 2026-11-02

> Carlos Garaikoetxea Urriza was a Basque Spanish politician who served as Lehendakari of the Basque Government from 1979 to 1985, the first following the Spanish transition to democracy. Elected as a member of the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), he presided over the party from 1977 to 1980. After leaving the PNV, he founded and presided over Eusko Alkartasuna from 1987 to 1999 and served as a member of the European Parliament from 1987 to 1991.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 2 June 1938 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q541562#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Pamplona ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q541562#P19))
- **Died:** 4 May 2026 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q541562#P570))
- **Place of death:** Pamplona ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q541562#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Spain ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q541562#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; economist; lawyer ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q541562#P106))
- **Political party:** Bildu (since 2011); Eusko Alkartasuna (since 1986); Basque Nationalist Party (1975–1986) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q541562#P102))
- **Education:** University of Deusto ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q541562#P69))
- **Positions held:** deputy of the Basque Parliament (25 November 1998 – 20 March 2001); deputy of the Basque Parliament (30 November 1994 – 1 September 1998); deputy of the Basque Parliament (18 December 1990 – 30 August 1994); Member of the European Parliament (25 July 1989 – 14 March 1991); Member of the European Parliament (6 July 1987 – 14 March 1991); deputy of the Basque Parliament (8 January 1987 – 24 July 1987); deputy of the Basque Parliament (22 March 1984 – 21 September 1986); President of the Basque Autonomous Community (9 April 1980 – 2 March 1985); deputy of the Basque Parliament (31 March 1980 – 19 January 1984) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q541562#P39))
- **Awards:** Cross of the Tree of Guernica ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q541562#P166))

## Questions

**When was Carlos Garaikoetxea born?**  
Carlos Garaikoetxea was born on 2 June 1938 in Pamplona.

**What positions has Carlos Garaikoetxea held?**  
Positions held by Carlos Garaikoetxea include: deputy of the Basque Parliament (1998–2001); deputy of the Basque Parliament (1994–1998); deputy of the Basque Parliament (1990–1994); Member of the European Parliament (1989–1991); Member of the European Parliament (1987–1991).

**Where did Carlos Garaikoetxea study?**  
Carlos Garaikoetxea was educated at University of Deusto.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Carlos Garaikoetxea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Garaikoetxea) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q541562](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q541562) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Carlos Garaikoetxea Beasain.jpg by Unknown author, photo published by EAJ-PNV Beasain (CC BY-SA 2.0)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carlos_Garaikoetxea_Beasain.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Carlos Garaikoetxea, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Carlos Garaikoetxea Beasain.jpg — Unknown author, photo published by EAJ-PNV Beasain, CC BY-SA 2.0.

## Cite this page

"Carlos Garaikoetxea". DigiNepal. Last updated 2 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/carlos-garaikoetxea. Retrieved 5 November 2026.