Carlos Garaikoetxea, the Spanish politician who served as lehendakari from 1979 to 1985, died on May 4, 2026, of a heart attack.
He was born in Pamplona, Navarre, on June 2, 1938. Garaikoetxea was a leading figure in the Basque Nationalist Party in Navarre from 1975 to 1980.
In 1979, he was elected president of the Basque General Council, the provisional body preparing for devolution of powers to the Basque Country. After approval of the Statute of Autonomy, he was elected lehendakari in 1980 and reelected in 1984.
Carlos Garaikoetxea, 87, Spanish politician, lehendakari (1979–1985), heart attack.