Hundreds of radical Abertzale youths sparked serious disturbances in Vitoria on October 12, attacking a Falange gathering and clashing with the Ertzaintza police. Security councillor Bingen Zupiria has acknowledged the need to pay greater attention to this organized urban violence. The incidents resulted in injuries, arrests, and political criticism over alleged complicity by EH Bildu.
On October 12, Vitoria's city center became the scene of nearly three hours of clashes between 'antifascist' protesters, the Ertzaintza, and around two hundred Falange members. Police reports indicate that 500 to 600 radical youths, coordinated in advance, breached the police cordon to attack the Falange gathering, forcing officers to deploy all anti-riot gear.
The toll included nearly 40 injuries, 20 among Ertzaintza officers; 19 arrests of radicals from the three Basque provinces and France; and damages exceeding 20,000 euros. The Ertzaintza is also investigating a bag containing 5,600 euros in bills and a computer found in a suspected protester's car, possibly belonging to a leader of this 'urban guerrilla'.
Bingen Zupiria, Security councillor since July 2024, has described the events as 'organized violence and prior preparation'. The perpetrators, militants from groups like Aske (encompassing Jardun and Jarki) and the Socialist Movement, hail the incidents as 'victories'. Kai Karasatorre, Aske spokesperson, posted on social media: 'We cannot see what happened in Vitoria as an isolated incident, but as an example of how Basque Workers can reclaim the streets through struggle'.
These groups emerged from the 2016 split of Abertzale youth wings: one yearns for the Basque National Liberation Movement and demands amnesty for ETA prisoners, while the other embraces Marxism-Leninism with European ambitions. Fernando Vaquero, author of 'Bolsheviks. From ETA to the Socialist Movement', highlights their mobilizing potential, though notes differences in violent strategies.
The disturbances recall the 1980s kale borroka and follow prior incidents, such as the boycott of La Vuelta in Bilbao on September 3 and protests against 'Israel's genocide in Palestine' on October 15. The PNV denounces EH Bildu's complicity, while the SIPE union criticizes operational decisions. Peio Ormazabal from the Socialist Movement labels the Ertzaintza as 'Basque fascists' for protecting the Falangists.