This Saturday, the San Marcial hermitage in Irun hosted the handover of the staff of command to Javier García Nieto, the new general of the traditional Alarde, who was elected just over a month ago. More than 200 people attended the midday event, applauding the successor to Asier Etxepare at the head of the parade.

It was Etxepare who presented him with the staff of command in a packed hermitage and an emotional atmosphere. However, around 40 people waited outside, in front of the stage located to one side of the hermitage, and at the end of the event, they called for the resignation of the Alarde Board. The protests stemmed from the situation generated around a disciplinary process affecting a parade commander, which has caused controversy in the city in recent months. Ertzaintza officers were present in the vicinity, and although there were moments of tension, it did not escalate beyond these protests against the Alarde Board, contrasting with the applause of those who came to support the new general.

The new general made a firm commitment to youth, emphasizing that the future of the Alarde lies in their hands. In his speech, he referred to the expressions of hatred latent in society in recent weeks and asked all Irunese not to hate and to work together for an Alarde in peace and freedom.

When the general left the hermitage, amidst the applause of the public, the protests of the group waiting on the side, in front of the stage, were also heard, demanding the resignation of the Alarde Board. There was another round of boos as attendees descended the slope leading to the hermitage, which were met, again, by the applause of those attending the event. The Ertzaintza was present at all times, and the tension did not escalate.