Juan José Ibarretxe Markuartu (born 15 March 1957)[1] is a former president of the Basque Autonomous Community in Spain.

[2] He was born in Llodio in the province of Álava, and holds a degree in Economics from the University of the Basque Country.

In 1983 he was elected a member of the Basque Parliament for Álava, representing the PNV, and from then on rose steadily to prominence.

On 28 March 1998, he was nominated PNV presidential candidate to compete in the October 25 Basque election, and became lehendakari (president) on 2 January 1999.

[citation needed] In October 2007 while in office he was prosecuted for holding talks with other political agents in search for a compromise leading to peace, considered illegal by the judge for the participation of former members of Batasuna.