The Mayor of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Maider Etxebarria, has affirmed that the City Council will not make distinctions between different types of squatting and will pursue legal avenues in the cases of Urssa, Ega, and Fournier. "For me, there are no first, second, or third-class squatters. They are all squatters to me," she stated.
Etxebarria responded to media questions after the inauguration of the renovated Adurza park. The inquiry concerned potential evictions in Urssa and Errekaleor, following recent reported cohabitation issues in these areas. However, the mayor did not specifically address Errekaleor, focusing her response on the ongoing procedures concerning Urssa, Ega, and Fournier.
The City Council has already issued notices to the companies owning Urssa, Ega, and Fournier. According to Etxebarria, the council is now awaiting further instructions from the judiciary. In the case of Ega, she noted that the company has submitted objections, and the council is awaiting the resolution of this process before proceeding.
“"For me, there are no first, second, or third-class squatters. They are all squatters to me."
Etxebarria emphasized that squatting is not the solution and that the City Council will continue to act. She linked this idea to the necessity of maintaining a consistent stance across all cases. These statements come amidst tension over various squatting situations in Vitoria-Gasteiz, but Etxebarria has avoided differentiating between them. Her message conveyed that the City Council will await judicial guidance and continue taking steps within the legal framework.
The reference to Errekaleor was raised in journalists' questions, but the mayor did not provide a specific response regarding it. Etxebarria redirected her answer to the notices issued to the property owners of Urssa, Ega, and Fournier and the pending legal procedures.
The mayor was also asked if the City Council fears these situations could lead to cohabitation or public order problems. Etxebarria acknowledged that any security-related issue "occupies and concerns" the municipal government. She explained that the City Council has requested both the Local Police and the Basque Government, through the Ertzaintza, to maintain surveillance in these areas.
