Overview
- Institutional sources and the Basque Department of Security confirmed that unknown individuals removed the Spanish and EU flags from two entrance masts and painted the words “Gurea ikurriña” on the ground.
- Photos posted by Bizkaia legislature vice president Begoña Gil show two of four masts left without flags and the graffiti at the entrance to the building.
- No organization has claimed responsibility for the flag removal as of Saturday, according to the institution and security authorities.
- A majority of the Mesa of the Juntas Generales (PNV, PSE-EE, Elkarrekin Podemos) and the provincial government issued strong condemnations, while EH Bildu did not join the Mesa’s statement.
- The incident follows Ernai’s claim of toppling the last Osborne bull in Euskadi and its display of other removed symbols in a campaign timed to Constitution Day.