Overview
- The visit to Gernika is scheduled for Friday as the concluding act of Steinmeier’s state visit to Spain that begins Wednesday.
- The program confirmed by local authorities includes a floral offering at the cemetery mausoleum, meetings with survivors, and a visit to the Peace Museum.
- It will be Felipe VI’s first visit to Gernika and the first time a German president has visited the town.
- Basque leaders, including lehendakari Imanol Pradales and the PNV, are urging the Spanish state to mirror Germany with a sign of apology.
- Germany previously made gestures of contrition, including a 1996 reconstruction donation and a 1997 apology by President Roman Herzog, acknowledging responsibility for the 1937 attack by the Condor Legion and Italian aviation.