Politics · Other · 4 hrs ago
Police unions and Basque PP demand resignations after Bilbao unrest
Violent unrest broke out in Bilbao, where cars and barricades were set on fire on Monday night.
The disturbances happened in the Deusto area while a crowd had gathered after activist Vito Quiles decided not to appear in the city.
Police unions questioned how the response was planned, saying mobile police were sent back to their base and reinforcements were stood down before the unrest began.
Police could not move in until firefighters had put out the flames, amid concern that fire could reach police vehicles.
Unions called for the police chief to resign, while the Basque branch of the People's Party demanded the resignation of Security Minister Bingen Zupiria.
The dispute comes amid wider criticism of recent police operations, including a response to an eviction in Vitoria.
Zupiria is due to face a special debate in the Basque Parliament on public security.
Police unions and the Basque People’s Party have called for resignations after unrest in Bilbao.
The unrest on Monday night included burning cars and fire barricades in the Deusto district.
The unions say police planning and coordination failures delayed the response.
ErNE leader Sergio Gómez de Segura called for the resignation of Ertzaintza chief Alfonso Garaikoetxea.
Basque PP leader Javier de Andrés called for Security Minister Bingen Zupiria to resign.
- Who
- Police unions and the Basque People’s Party are demanding resignations. They have targeted Ertzaintza chief Alfonso Garaikoetxea and Security Minister Bingen Zupiria.
- What
- The demands followed unrest in Bilbao, including burning cars and fire barricades.
- When
- The unrest took place on Monday night. The article was published on 27 October 2026 and updated on 28 October.
- Where
- Deusto district, Bilbao, in the Basque Country.
- Why
- The unions allege failures in police planning and coordination. The Basque PP criticises Zupiria’s handling of the events.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Police faced criticism over their handling of a property eviction in Vitoria.
Unrest in Bilbao included fire barricades and burning cars in Deusto.
Security Minister Bingen Zupiria acknowledged the criticism following the failed police operation.
Zupiria was due to face a special debate on public security in the Basque Parliament.
- District
- Deusto, Bilbao
- Police chief
- Alfonso Garaikoetxea
- Security minister
- Bingen Zupiria
- Union
- ErNE
- Parliament session
- Special debate on public security, 28 October 2026
What people are saying
It was necessary to act decisively from the beginning to have prevented the fire barricades.
It is essential to clarify the specific circumstances of an operation in which the order was given for the Mobile Brigade to return to its base in Iurreta early.
not to know anything