Administration representatives have been appointed to the electoral committees

The Vice-Minister for Tourism and Commerce has appointed administration representatives to the electoral boards of the Official Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Services, and Navigation of the Basque Autonomous Community. Resolution 2026/3840, dated September 1, 2026, establishes the presidencies, members, and their substitutes for the three boards to direct the election process of the chambers’ governing bodies.

The appointment was published in the Boletín Oficial del País Vasco (BOPV) number 172, on September 9, 2026, in the “Otras disposiciones” section. The resolution was signed by Vice-Minister Jakes Aguirrezabal Iribar in Vitoria-Gasteiz, on September 1, 2026.

Regulatory Framework

The appointments are based on Article 14 of Decree 78/2015 (May 26), which regulates the election procedure of the chambers of commerce and the composition of their governing bodies. According to this regulation, the electoral board of each chamber’s district must be formed within eight days after the election call is published.

Each board consists of three chamber electors and two persons appointed by the supervising administration; one of whom performs the functions of the presidency. Furthermore, the president appoints a secretary from among the administration officials, without voting rights, and the board receives legal advice from the chamber’s secretary.

The resolution was signed under the authority granted by Article 4.2.ñ) of Decree 38/2025 (February 11), which establishes the organic and functional structure of the Department of Tourism, Commerce, and Consumption.

Appointed Representatives

The appointments for the three electoral boards are as follows:

• Álava Electoral Board: president Unai Ibarra Gallardo; substitute president Izaskun Sáez del Burgo Guerra; member Jose Angel Elorza Alvarez; substitute member Jose Ramón Fernández de Arroyabe.
• Bilbao Electoral Board: president Amaia Gandarias Uriarte; substitute president Loreto Guzmán Fonquernie; member Estibaliz Abarrategi Aranceta; substitute member Garbiñe Sáez Molinuevo.
• Gipuzkoa Electoral Board: president Jon Oiartzabal Sanchez; substitute president Olatz Martinez Tainta; member Lorea Piñeiro Fernandez; substitute member Maria Paz Castro Porras.

Importance of the Process

These appointments are the result of the election call to renew the governing bodies of the chambers of commerce, launched by the vice-minister’s resolution of September 1, 2026. The boards are the highest bodies for ensuring the transparency and correctness of the electoral process, and their composition is essential for carrying out the call.

The deadline for forming the electoral boards is eight days after the call is published, and this resolution fulfills the administration’s representation. The appointments guarantee the independence and transparency of the process, enabling the renewal of the chambers’ representative bodies.

Source: Official Gazette of the Basque Country, number 172, September 9, 2026, Other provisions (official reference: 2026/3840).