Parliamentary Tensions Erupt in Navarra as Farmers Confront Officials
Foral Police officers moved against a group of farmers who had gathered behind the Navarra Parliament to challenge the regional president, María Chivite, and other political leaders as they exited the building.
After the Navarra Parliament session approved the General Budgets for 2024, farmers who had remained outside the chamber all day positioned themselves at both the main and rear exits, including the doorway to the garage, to shout and harass lawmakers as they left the Foral Parliament.
Security forces established a police cordon at these points to keep demonstrators on the opposite curb, and moments of tension were reported. Chivite emerged after 3:00 PM through a rear door where her car awaited, and she was met with a chorus of whistles from some farmers who recognized her arrival.
Later, demonstrators gathered near the garage exit and vocally reproached and insulted several lawmakers as they left in their vehicles. A few attempted to follow the cars, prompting the Foral Police to intervene with forceful dispersal actions.
Around 3:30 PM the farmers gradually withdrew the tractors they had stationed earlier around the Parliament building and along Paseo Sarasate, signaling a brief de-escalation in the day’s events.
The day’s unrest extended beyond the afternoon incidents. Dozens of Navarrese farmers blocked traffic and attempted to force their way into the parliamentary hemicycle during the Budget debate for 2024. Police interventions prevented a possible breach, and officers have identified twelve individuals linked to the attempted assault, with proceedings opened for public disorder. It remained to be seen whether any charges would be criminal or administrative in nature.
Interior, Public Function and Justice Minister Amparo López explained that collected footage would be analyzed to determine whether participants fell under applicable legal classifications, and the authorities would act accordingly.
The budget debate continued but was inevitably affected by the morning’s attempted breach. Most groups rejected a request to convene a meeting today with representatives of the 6F movement, prioritizing the ongoing process of budget approval.
Farmers had gathered from early Thursday in front of the Parliament and pushed toward the Parliament from Paseo de Sarasate, cutting traffic and trying to access the building, but police intervention curtailed the most aggressive efforts. At moments, police used batons as tensions rose, though the situation eventually subsided while traffic remained halted in parts of the area.
During the debate, two amendments proposed in voice were introduced, one from UPN and another from government allies, addressing the situation of the farmers. The governing coalition members rejected moving forward with UPN’s amendment, which aimed to align Navarra’s farm taxes more closely with those in Álava. In contrast, the government allies’ amendment was admitted for processing and called for temporary imputation in the IRPF on insurance indemnities received in 2023 to offset farm income losses.
The moment that sparked further confrontation came when the Socialist spokesperson’s remarks were met with applause from protesting farmers in the guests’ gallery. The Parliament president, Unai Hualde, reminded attendees that such expressions were not permitted from the gallery, and called for decorum as the chamber prepared to hear from multiple party voices.
Following these events, the PSN spokesperson Ramón Alzórriz began delivering remarks that drew a negative reaction from the crowd, who then left the gallery as some outside supporters attempted to approach the Parliament. The disruption prompted additional statements and counter-measures as the session progressed.
In a separate development, a request to meet with parliamentary groups was discussed among the farmers. Most groups rejected the proposal, labeling the events outside the chamber as serious. Officials and parliamentarians alike described the morning’s events as gravely concerning, with many calling for accountability and a clear break from the actions of the day.
Among those involved in negotiations with the government were Salvador Moreno, the group’s coordinator during talks with Navarra’s government, and regional representatives including Lazagurría’s mayor from UPN and Miguel Bujanda, a local Estella farmer. The platform later expressed remorse for any escalation and offered apologies to police and the Parliament for attempting unauthorized entry, while reiterating that the broader struggle would continue.
Outside the Parliament, a substantial police presence remained to maintain order. Some demonstrators who had initially entered the session peacefully could not exit when the assault attempt occurred, and staff limited entry to the chamber for safety reasons.
From within the Parliament, four platform representatives were slated to listen to lawmakers and advocate for the farmers’ concerns, urging deputies to vote with conscience rather than party lines. Some participants disagreed with this approach, arguing that the attempt to enter the chamber should not be legitimized as a protest.
Inside the hall, Navarra’s president and key leaders, including the Parliament president, the Rural Development and Environment minister, and other top officials, convened at the Atrio to monitor what unfolded and coordinate a response.
At about 12:15, two members of the 6F platform left the chamber and addressed the farmers outside, who were told that today was not a suitable time for additional meetings given that the plenum was in session. The two negotiators described the decision as a betrayal of their efforts, and they encouraged their colleagues to keep pushing forward despite the setback. Their remarks were met with applause from supporters.
Across the confrontation, the movement’s spokesperson Marina Amatriain declared that the Parliament’s refusal to move forward with UPN’s amendment would not stop the 6F campaign, promising to press on with renewed vigor. She criticized the coalition partners for not engaging seriously with the platform and called for continued pressure to achieve tangible results. Amatriain noted that a promised fiscal discussion meeting at González Tablas, the government department’s base, had not materialized, and challenged policymakers to deliver more than promises.
Asked about the path forward, she asserted that the movement would persist with greater resolve, stating that the absence of concrete gains in a month only strengthened their determination.
Although the day began with a severe breach of decorum, the movement’s supporters and Parliament leadership reflected on the incident. Navarra’s Parliament president announced an institutional statement condemning the morning’s events, describing them as unacceptable and incompatible with democratic norms. He also highlighted the role of the Foral Police in preventing a breach that could have carried criminal penalties, and expressed solidarity with journalists and police officers who faced aggression. The presidency pledged to issue a formal condemnation in the next Board and Spokespersons’ meeting and to acknowledge the police force for averting a potentially dangerous scenario.
The day closed with officials and observers noting that Navarra’s Parliament remains a space where groups hope to be heard, even as this week’s events underscore the fragility and volatility that can accompany high-stakes budget debates and intense policy disagreements.