Elixabete Etxanobe, deputy general of Bizkaia, has praised Mikel Hidalgo, the new candidate for mayor of Bilbao for the PNV. "It is a very good proposal, and I hope the bases will ratify it," Etxanobe stated during an event in Barakaldo. Hidalgo has been put forward by the PNV's Bizkaia assembly and the Interjuntas body, and his candidacy now rests with the batzokis, where they will vote on the proposal.

Hidalgo, a 33-year-old, has been chosen by the executive led by Iñigo Ansola to succeed Juan Mari Aburto, who will not seek re-election after eleven years as mayor. The new candidate has been a member of the PNV's territorial executive since 2024 and was previously unknown in politics.

The internal voting process will last for a month, with the official candidate expected to be designated by the end of July. The party's main challenge will now be to introduce the candidate, who currently holds no public office.

This change in Bilbao follows a similar one in San Sebastián, where Eneko Goia was succeeded by Jon Insausti (36 years old) as mayor. Etxanobe commented that the transition should be handled "with naturalness" as long as the "candidacies and profiles are solid." Ramiro González, the deputy general of Álava, echoed these sentiments, stating that Hidalgo's selection demonstrates the PNV has "good talent" and that the city "needs a new moment and new leadership needs."