At Bilbao’s annual state-of-the-villa session, Juan Mari Aburto warned that poverty and social exclusion are worsening and the city cannot address these problems alone. With eight months left in office, he said Bilbao risks being left on its own unless other institutions get involved.
Aburto, who has led Bilbao since 2015, spoke about the toll of public service. He called his time as mayor both an honor and a source of personal strain, and said fighting poverty and homelessness requires a joint effort from the Basque Government and the Diputación, with Madrid also involved. “Helping those who suffer most is everyone’s responsibility,” he said, pointing to growing pressure on social services that threatens to overwhelm the city’s resources. In recent interviews, Aburto has often mentioned his health and family responsibilities, connecting his farewell speech to a broader sense of personal and institutional duty.
Aburto measures his legacy in practical changes. He highlighted the expansion of public elevators from 20 to 84 during his three terms, making Bilbao the Spanish city with the most lifts and improving access for thousands. He is often called “the mayor of the elevators,” a nickname he accepts as evidence that his administration focused on everyday needs. Reports, including coverage of the EL PAÍS exhibition in Bilbao, say these accessibility projects are widely recognized and have made the city a model for urban mobility.
His record also includes cooperation with the PSE. His administration removed Franco-era symbols and named more streets after women, while unemployment fell. He credits these changes to steady effort and a focus on people. He described himself as self-critical but did not list specific mistakes. Regional media continue to report heated debate over housing policy in the Basque Country. Opposition parties say the government has not kept up with demand or responded strongly enough to the housing crisis. This has made it harder for Aburto to balance social needs with limited resources.
Security is another challenge. The mayor acknowledged increases in theft and robbery but argued that police effectiveness has also improved. He pointed to annual recruitment that keeps the police force at 900 officers, while warning that repeat offenders are exploiting legal loopholes and calling for tougher rules. Official statistics for 2026 are not yet available. Concerns about crime and repeat offenses are now a regular part of public debate, but exact figures require full data from Ertzaintza or city sources.
Aburto urged his team and the opposition to keep several projects moving: rebuilding the Antón de Artxanda restaurant and finishing the Pike adventure park. He also called for progress on the Ría special plan and a new tram stop at Paseo de los Caños. He promised the completion of the Zorrozaurre storm tank redevelopment and the new Ribera Park on the island.
His speech also addressed the rise of far-right rhetoric. Aburto said “not everything goes” and invoked the story of Little Red Riding Hood to show how dangerous ideas can slip in if people are not careful. He argued that losing respect, humility and kindness leads to the erosion of social rights.
Leadership changes in Spanish cities often bring uncertainty, as seen when the Catalan police chief stepped down after a leadership dispute, a situation reported earlier. In Bilbao, Aburto’s departure sets up a transition for his successor, Mikel Hidalgo, who will inherit both the city’s progress and its unresolved problems.
Bilbao has changed over the past decade, with new infrastructure and social policy reforms. Aburto’s final message was blunt: without shared responsibility, the city’s progress is at risk. The next administration will have to show whether his warning about poverty and social imbalance prompts action.
