For the first time it is made up exclusively of nationalist parties which favour independence for the troubled region.

Daniel Schweimler: the poltical background to the session of the Basque Parliament

Spain's two main political parties, the Conservative Popular Party and the Socialists, both of which oppose full independence, are in opposition.

A new Basque president is being chosen, who will lead moves to consolidate the ceasefire declared by the separatist group, ETA, last September.

He is expected to be Juan Jose Ibarretxe of the moderate Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) after ETA said it would support him.

With his election out of the way the parliament will be able to tackle the issue which has dominated the Basque region since ETA declared its ceasefire: how to consolidate peace.

The BBC Correspondent in Madrid, Daniel Schweimler, says no progress has been reported so far in secret talks between ETA and the government and the start of formal talks still seems some way off.