The left-wing coalition Contigo-Zurekin is calling for a clear course of action following the regional government’s legal assessment of the additional costs on the Belate project and is announcing opposition to further payments. Spokesperson Carlos Guzmán called for an immediate meeting of the coalition partners in Pamplona on Thursday, after the Asesoría Jurídica of the Gobierno de Navarra had rejected, on 7 September 2026, the construction administration’s proposed use of “enriquecimiento injusto” to settle additional claims.
The background is a cost claim arising during work on the Belate tunnels. The Intervención General had already issued a reparo suspensivo against the first contract variation in November 2025. Depending on the source, the disputed amounts range from around 8.3 to 8.5 million euros. According to the government, only work with an unequivocal legal basis will be paid for until further notice.
Contigo-Zurekin is calling for “a rigorous assessment” of what happened and making clear that the coalition partners will not approve additional spending while the legal position remains unresolved. Guzmán stressed that protecting public funds was a priority. The group also points to the responsible administration’s duty to provide legal certainty and present a plan for continuing the work.
The government of President María Chivite has announced that it will present the rationale of the Asesoría Jurídica and possible courses of action to the Parlamento de Navarra and its partners. Government statements mention, among other options, a new contractual approach, budgetary measures or a court ruling. It is not yet clear which option will be pursued. The Departamento de Cohesión Territorial says it wants the work to continue in an orderly manner, while ruling out payments without a legal basis.
Politically, the opinion increases pressure on the Gobierno de Navarra. Opposition parties speak of management failings and are demanding answers about the causes of the cost overruns. Within the coalition, the aim is to find a process that both ensures completion of the project and avoids future challenges. External voices from the administration and audit bodies warn that any solution must be properly documented and legally robust.
What is clear is that the Asesoría Jurídica’s opinion blocks the swift settlement of the claimed additional costs. The government and parliament must now decide what to do, taking into account construction progress, budgetary discipline and the need to minimise legal risks.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).