The current PNV mayor, in office since 2015, has announced he will not seek re-election in the May 2027 municipal elections following a party decision.
Juan María Aburto has stated that it has been decided Bilbao needs a new leadership. The mayor has held the post for three terms and highlighted the great honor it has been for him. Aburto mentioned his health problems as one of the factors in this decision. He has had several medical leaves in recent years and the most recent one was very recent. He said he has given everything even at the cost of part of his health. The PNV will start the internal process in a few weeks to select a new candidate. Bilbao is the main municipal stronghold of the nationalists and has always been governed by them since the recovery of democracy.
