The start of Portugalete's cleaning contract faces another setback. Following its award in April's council meeting, two appeals lodged by the companies that ranked second and third have once again halted the proceedings.

Councilor for Services, Iker Villalba, stated that the situation will not affect residents, as cleaning tasks will continue under an extended contract until the new one takes effect. This requires waiting for the OARC (Administrative Body for Contractual Appeals) to resolve both appeals, a process that could take around four months.

The socialist councilor added that "the law states that whenever a claim is filed with this body, we must halt the award." This is the second time this situation has occurred with the same contract in Portugalete.

In December, an appeal was filed by the company that was ultimately awarded the service in April. Consequently, the improvements included in the new contract, valued at 5 million euros, will have to wait until it is implemented.