Santander mayor says Semana Grande ran without major incidents amid PSOE criticism

Mayor Gema Igual said the 2026 Semana Grande festival in Santander concluded without any major incidents, praising high attendance, diverse programming and the quality of the music stage. She highlighted the work of municipal cleaning crews and thanked local associations for helping keep the streets orderly, while apologising to residents for any inconvenience caused by the increased street activity.

PSOE municipal spokesperson Daniel Fernández disputed the mayor’s assessment, accusing the PP‑led city government of poor planning. He said the festival overwhelmed the city centre, leaving rubbish, broken street furniture and disrupted public transport, and forced police to intervene repeatedly. Fernández called for a tourism model that prioritises residents’ quality of life rather than mass‑tourism excesses.