The Mayor of Ataun, Martín Aramendi, has headed UEMA since his election as president on 23 September. He believes he has taken the leadership of a strong organization, which has to have a mandate to take firm steps: “Consensus and commitment are essential for this.” Aramendi stressed at the general assembly that the President, the Vice-President and the Board of Directors were approved by common agreement: “Members of different political parties and cultures are represented here, and I would also like to highlight that. In short, to move forward, because collaboration is essential. Cooperation between the parties, of course. But also between public institutions, citizens and Basque culture”.

The UEMA will strengthen the research line in the coming years. The intention of the organization is to make concrete diagnoses that allow a better response to local realities. Aramendi pointed out at the meeting that the UEMA has changed a great deal in recent years, as the typology of the Basque municipalities has changed, and the characteristics of the Basques have also changed. Aramendi stresses that municipal projects must respond to these changes.

At the General Assembly, the entire direction of UEMA has been renewed. Presiding over Martin Aramendi (EH Bildu), Vice-President Irune Urbieta (PNV) and the nine junters: Dabid Anaut, Eneko Fernandez, Iratxe Lasa, Aitor Larrañaga, Asier Mingo and Irati Urberuaga of EH Bildu, Ainara Ipiñazar and Idoia Odriozola and independent Larraitz Alkorta.