San Sebastián (Donostia) has seen a change in leadership: the new head of the city is 36-year-old Jon Insausti of the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV). He was elected after former mayor Eneko Goia decided to step down following a decade in office. Insausti is now set to lead the municipality for approximately a year and a half—until the next elections scheduled for 2027.
The city council vote went as expected: Insausti’s candidacy was supported by representatives of the PNV and the Socialists, giving him the required majority. The other factions chose not to back any side, submitting blank ballots. Prior to this appointment, Insausti oversaw culture, the Basque language, and tourism, and represented his party in the municipal government.
The change in power capped off a ten-year cycle, as Goia himself announced last autumn. The new mayor has already set out his priorities: he plans to focus on affordable housing, public safety, and creating quality jobs. Insausti emphasizes that his aim is to make the city more comfortable for residents—not just tourists.
The team and new appointments
Along with the new mayor, other new faces have appeared in the municipality. Olatz Iartza, also from the PNV, has become his closest aide and will be responsible for transport, tourism, and mobility issues. She has also assumed the role of first deputy mayor and serves as the official spokesperson for the nationalists on the council.
Additionally, two new city council members took office that same day: Idoia Gracia from the PNV, who replaced Goya, and Tomás Pascua from the People’s Party (PP), who has succeeded Jorge Mota, who previously stepped down.
Plans and challenges for the city
Insausti has already announced that he will base the administration’s work on community, responsibility, culture, sports, and support for local initiatives. He is counting on teamwork and engaging residents in decision-making. The new mayor faces many challenges ahead: the housing market remains tense, public safety is a concern for citizens, and achieving economic stability requires new solutions.
Insausti now has a chance to prove himself and implement his proposed agenda before the next elections. Political competition in the city is heating up: forecasts suggest that PNV and EH Bildu will enter the elections on equal footing. This means every move the new mayor makes will be closely watched by both the opposition and the people of San Sebastián.
