The Association of Victims of Terrorism (AVT), the largest organization representing terrorism victims in Spain, is actively engaging with the European Council regarding concerns that ETA, a Basque separatist group, may soon be removed from the EU's list of terrorist organizations. This apprehension arises from recent media reports suggesting that Pedro Sánchez's government is in negotiations with the Basque nationalist party, EH Bildu, for such a removal, which they indicate might be a political concession to achieve broader parliamentary agreements.

The AVT has stated that they have reached out to EU Council members to clarify whether there are any intentions to legislate the exclusion of ETA from this list. This follows increasing discussions in media outlets that describe Sánchez’s potential move as a high-stakes political gesture with significant symbolic implications for the collective memory of terrorism in Spain, particularly among those affected by ETA's violent actions.

If the government were to proceed with removing ETA from the terrorist organization list, it could ignite a fierce political debate in Spain as this move is perceived by many as a betrayal of victims and a dangerous signal regarding the state’s stance on terrorism. Such actions would challenge the survivors' struggles for recognition and justice, and may shift the public sentiment surrounding ETA's legacy and its impact on Spanish society and politics.