Basque security investment rises amid calls for better officer protection

The Basque Country is projected to reach new highs in security investment by 2027. Fiscal revenue in Álava, Bizkaia, and Gipuzkoa reached 13,072 million euros through August, a 2.7% year-on-year increase. Within the security budget, funding for the Ertzaintza rose by 8.3% between 2025 and 2026, increasing from 750.5 million to nearly 813 million euros.

Amidst these budgetary increases, the Ertzaintza Professional Union (SiPE) has criticized the Department of Security for failing to protect officers. The union demanded that the government “defend the principle of authority” following an incident in Basauri where an officer was publicly targeted and identified via graffiti. SiPE expressed frustration with institutional statements of solidarity, calling them “hollow words” and urging the government to take concrete actions to protect agents from harassment and threats.