Josu Ortuondo Larrea

Josu Ortuondo Larrea ( born February 13, 1948 in Bilbao ) is a Spanish politician of the Basque nationalist party PNV. From 1999 to 2009 he was a member of the European Parliament.

Career

In addition to a degree in Business Administration, from which he graduated in 1982 with a Master of Business Administration, Ortuondo worked from 1969 to 1987 as a banker. After that, he was until 1991 Director General of the Basque public radio and television station Euskal Telebista. From 1991 to 1999 he led the trade of Bilbao. He was also Chairman of several companies, such as the energy supplier Bilbogás.

Political career

After the end of Franco's dictatorship Ortuondo joined the re- authorized party PNV, the board until 1987 he served in 1983 as the person responsible for administrative and financial affairs. From 1991 to 1995 he was mayor of Bilbao, from 1995, President of the Basque towns tags. He was also a 1994-1999 board member of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions and 1995-1999 member of the board of Euro Cities.

In the European elections in 1999 Ortuondo was elected to the European Parliament, where he served until 2009. He was here a board member of the liberal ALDE group and sat in the Committee on Transport and Tourism.