The mayor, Juan Mari Aburto, who was evacuated to Basurto Hospital due to a feverish episode due to the flu, did not participate in the plenary meeting to approve the bills.
The Bilbao City Council has approved the 2025 budgets with the sole vote in favor of the two partners of the municipal government, PNV and PSE-EE, and the rejection of the three opposition groups, EH Bildu, PP and Elkarrekin.
Bilbao’s budget for next year amounts to 719 million, 2.6% more than the current one (18 million more), and its main items are intended for the provision of public services (336 million, 5 million more than in 2024), personnel costs (196.3, 4 million more) and investments (122 million, comparable until 2024).
Sixteen opposition amendments worth just over 1 million euros have been accepted, including measures such as studying compensation for vacant houses, more help against sexist violence and drones for municipal police.
During the plenary session, the opposition criticized the lack of negotiation by the municipal council. The PNV and the PSE-EE have been defending the management and reduction of current expenditure since 2013. In addition, a claim from the ELA union on the invoices has been rejected.
By area, the sectors with the largest budget are Public Works and Services (160 million), Mobility and Sustainability (83.4), Finance (57), Culture and Governance (55.4) and Social Action (49).
The other departments that exceed the budget of 5 million are Economic Development, Trade, Tourism and Employment (27), Youth and Sports (20), Works and Services (14), Security (8.8), Education (8.7) and Urban Planning. Strategic projects and public space (8.5).
Aburto evacuated to hospital
The mayor of Bilbao, Juan Mari Aburto, was unable to attend last Friday’s extraordinary plenary meeting in which the 2025 budgets were approved, as he had to be transferred by ambulance due to a feverish episode caused by the flu from which he is suffering. municipal sources report.
Despite having had the flu for a few days, the mayor went to the town hall early this Friday to attend the plenary meeting, but after a period of fever he felt unwell and had to be evacuated by ambulance to Basurto Hospital.
According to municipal sources, the mayor was taken to hospital by ambulance ‘for safety’, but he is ‘doing well, there is nothing to worry about and everything is under control’.
Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
