The Mayor of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Maider Etxebarria, has attempted to separate the Leire case from the upcoming municipal elections. When asked if the investigation affecting the PSOE could harm the PSE in 2027, Etxebarria responded cautiously: “We will see if it affects or not.” The mayor defended that municipal elections should be measured by what happens in the City Council, citing municipal management as the basis, and mentioned the new cleaning contract, ordinances, budgets, and the unblocking of the General Plan.

Etxebarria also declined to comment on the substance of the investigation, stating: “We are going to respect the rhythms of justice,” and added that she hopes “none of what is being said is true.”

The question arises after the UCO's search at Tubos Reunidos. The Civil Guard entered the company's premises in Bilbao and Amurrio as part of the investigation related to Leire Díez and the former PSOE Organization Secretary, Santos Cerdán. In the case of the Alava-based company, agents are seeking documentation regarding the public rescue granted during the pandemic, and according to recent reports, the UCO is analyzing whether political movements occurred around that operation.

Santos Cerdán denies any criminal involvement and rejects having led a scheme. Etxebarria, for her part, has limited herself to asking for time from the justice system before making assessments. The mayor aims to shift the debate to Vitoria, arguing that while the case affects the PSOE, it did not originate in the Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council, thus trying to prevent the municipal debate from being trapped by a state-level investigation.

Her argument is that citizens should evaluate the management carried out in the city. The PSE faces this scenario with a mayor governing in a tight balance; Etxebarria became Mayor in 2023 after coming in behind EH Bildu, thanks to an agreement with the PNV and the PP's support during the investiture.