The Department of Safety and Security budget will increase by 6.4% by 2026 to EUR 850 million
The Basque Government's Department of Security will have a budget of EUR 850 millionin 2026, an increase of 6.4% over the previous year, as announced by Counsellor Bingen Zupiria at a hearing before the Basque Country's General Budget Committee.
Zupiria, accompanied by Deputy Security Officer Ricardo Ituarte and Economic Management Director Miriam Anitua, has explained that next year's accounts will focus on three axes: modernizing the public security service, obtaining new resources and strengthening the Ertzaintza, the Arkaute Academy, Euskalmet and Cybersurveillance.
"The budget of the Department of Safety and Security will strengthen our public service and security model," stressed the counsellor, who has set herself the main objective of ensuring the freedom and tranquillity of citizens and contributing to the consolidation of the community and the prestige of the Basque Country.
Among the main investments envisaged, the Department will allocate a number of items to update computer, telecommunications and interoperability systems and to renovate the materials of the Ertzaintza and meteorological services.
The plan includes projects such as the improvement of the communications network (WAN MPLS), the development of the Guardasola project, the renewal of the telephone network and the implementation of the new New Trunk Network system, which will enable multimedia mobility communications.
The Ertzaintza will have new investments in the renewal of its fleet of vehicles (13 million euros), the purchase of drones and ethylometers, and the improvement of buildings and police stations. In addition, the Department plans to make progress on the Employment Plan agreed with the unions to have 8,000 agents by 2030.
The Basque Academy of Police and Emergencies will increase its budget to EUR 28 million, 19% more, to cope with student growth and modernise training platforms.
Cybersurveillance, for its part, will have EUR 6.4 million, 25.8% more than in 2025, to strengthen the detection of cyberthreats and the response to incidents affecting the Basque public sector.
In the area of equality, the Department of Safety and Security will allocate €34.6 million to the protection of women victims of male violence, the updating of the EBA system and the establishment of a new unit of the Ertzaintza specializing in violence against women.
Zupiria has reiterated that investing in public security is an "indispensable decision" to respond to current risks and threats and "to ensure an effective, modern and close service to citizens."
Political debate on changing views on crime
EH Bildu's spokesman, Gorka Ortiz de Guinea, stated that "since the summer" they have begun to perceive change, which he considers "negative for Basque society" because the government "is taking steps to get closer to the PP and Vox" even if "it is not the same."
In his reply, Bingen Zupiria acknowledged that there has been an evolution in his personal perception of some issues related to crime. "I won't deny it because I've changed some of my perceptions too. Things have happened that I didn't expect and that has led me to make speeches that I didn't want to make," he admitted.
You might like
Gipuzkoa's foral government approves the 2026 budgets with the support of Elkarrekin Podemos
The minority coalition government (PNV and PSE-EE) needed the support of some opposition group to push through next year's budgets, which will be the second in the legislature with the support of the PP last year and Elkarrekin Podemos this year.
The decision to reject the Guggenheim project in Urdaibai has been discussed in the Basque Parliament
Pello Otxandiano says that the active listening process carried out in the region has been an exercise in maturity that should serve as an example for the future, while the lehendakari recalls the statements of the left abertzale against the Guggenheim project in Bilbao.
The Basque Government calls for "caution" to prevent the Basque Country "from becoming infected with the Spanish political model"
In an interview on Radio Euskadi, Ibone Bengoetxea has highlighted the ability to understand and respect the political adversary in the Basque Country, but believes that "we must be very careful about the constant attempts at polarization and confrontation". In this regard, the Government has shown its willingness to listen, dialogue and reach agreements.
The lehendakari described this Thursday's controversy in the Basque Parliament as' irresponsible '
President Imanol Pradales referred to the tough debate between EH Bildu and PP in the Basque Parliament.
What is the goal of the Atlantic Macroregion?
The idea of strengthening the influence of the Atlantic regions on the European Union has been on the table for decades now, and Brussels has taken a further step and is considering creating a common structure covering all these territories.
For Pradales, the launch of the Atlantic Macroregion is "encouraging news" because it "increases the political weight of the Basque Country"
President Imanol Pradales welcomed the step taken yesterday by European leaders, who in June 2027 urged the European Commission to develop a strategy to boost the Atlantic macroregion by the end of 2027.
The 27 have asked the European Commission for a strategy to form the Atlantic macroregion
The Heads of State and Government meeting at the last summit of the year have called for the development of this strategy by June 2027.
Ernai has filled the door of the newspaper El Correo with posters
Social media has claimed responsibility for Monday night's action.
The 2026 Navarre Budgets have been approved with the support of the partners and the votes against UPN, PPN and Vox
The 2026 budgets amount to EUR 6,471 million, 4.8% more than last year, and the highest advance accounts in Navarre. In recent weeks, 368 amendments amounting to EUR 19.1 million have been incorporated into the Government's proposal, all from the parties of government partners (PSN, Geroa Bai and Contigo-Zurekin) and EH Bildu.
Gogora has paid tribute to PNV militant Txomin Letamendi, who died after being imprisoned and tortured
There will be honours in Ondarroa and Bilbao on 19 and 22 December to repair his honour and dignity.