The municipal group of the PNV in Errenteria has taken a step forward in response to the serious allegations of aggression, abuse of power, and psychological violence suffered by minors within the Xenpelar Bertso Eskola environment. The jeltzale party has formally announced the submission of requests for investigation to both the Public Prosecutor's Office and the Ararteko (Basque Ombudsman) to thoroughly clarify the events. Concurrently, they have demanded direct political accountability from the town's mayor, Aizpea Otaegi (EH Bildu), after describing the local government's response to date as "insufficient," "confusing," and lacking self-criticism.

In a statement released this Tuesday, the PNV argues that given the serious doubts about whether the municipal protection mechanisms functioned with the required diligence, it is essential for external and independent bodies to evaluate the City Council's actions. Specifically, the requests sent to the Prosecutor's Office and the Ararteko, signed by municipal spokesperson Elixabete Murua, aim to clarify "whether all legal obligations for child protection were met, whether the action protocols were correctly activated, and whether there were political decisions or omissions that allowed the prolongation of risky situations."

For the PNV of Errenteria, the current political reality is "indisputable" and places the focus on the main authority of the Basque municipality. "The highest political responsible for the City Council is the mayor. And the citizens have the right to know what the City Council knew, when it knew it, what decisions it made, and whether they were sufficient to guarantee the protection of minors."

The party has expressed its particular bewilderment that this management crisis is occurring under the leadership of Otaegi, whose "specific training in gender studies and feminism" and active participation in the development of the municipality's equality policies are highlighted. "Precisely because of that trajectory, the political demand was higher. The citizens expected an exemplary response, and therefore, the lack of self-criticism shown so far is incomprehensible," they criticize.

Addressing the municipal government's attempt to use victim confidentiality as a reason to limit public explanations, the PNV states that "no one disputes the need to protect victims and preserve their privacy." However, it adds that institutional secrecy cannot be used as a "shield" against democratic oversight. "Confidentiality can never become a political excuse. The protection of victims is perfectly compatible with accountability, institutional transparency, and explaining whether administrations acted with due diligence," the jeltzale statement emphasizes, insisting that the citizens of Errenteria demand "explanations, not excuses."

Another point of contention refers to the City Council's communication strategy. The PNV considers it an "error" that EH Bildu chose to hold a public press conference mixing the Xenpelar Bertso Eskola case with that linked to Kukai Dantza Taldea and Jon Maya.

In the jeltzales' view, these are two cases with "clearly differentiated" institutional implications and legal obligations. The PNV denounces that unifying both matters only contributes to generating "confusion" in public opinion and hinders the oversight of responsibilities linked to a municipal service in which minors were also involved.

The nationalist party describes as "extremely serious" the information suggesting that certain behaviors of the alleged aggressor were already known by Bertsozale Elkartea since 2018. The PNV deeply regrets that, despite these early warnings, the accused was able to continue teaching and organizing activities with minors and young people in various municipalities of the historical territory of Gipuzkoa for nearly a decade.

Finally, the PNV wished to reiterate its "solidarity, support, and recognition" to the victims who have taken the step of reporting the abuse of power and violation of rights suffered in the service. Likewise, they have highlighted the key role played by families and, especially, by the local feminist movement, whose mobilization and firmness they considered "decisive" for the events to come to light and force the municipal institutions to react.