Cristina Ibarrola wants to repeal the new industrial law of the Spanish region Navarre again if her party Unión del Pueblo Navarro takes over the regional government. It should be replaced by a more ambitious set of rules with measurable targets and realistic timetables, the party president said on 13 November 2026. Parliament had passed the law on promoting industry and business the previous day.
Ibarrola criticised the rules for offering no solutions to the problems facing industry. She linked her statement to an attack on regional president María Chivite: The law would outlast the months Chivite had left as head of government. This is Ibarrola’s political prediction, not evidence of an imminent change of government.
The regionalist party voted against the law. The Socialist Party of Navarra voted in favour, Geroa Bai and Contigo-Zurekin. EH Bildu abstained. The conservative People’s Party, the mixed group and an unaffiliated MP also rejected the bill. According to Parliament, the law will enter into force on the day after its publication in the Official Gazette of Navarra.
The regional government aims to use the rules to simplify administrative procedures, attract investment and support the ecological and digital transitions. Particular attention is given to small and medium-sized enterprises and businesses in economic difficulty. Measures include a single point of contact for businesses and coordinated processing of certain projects. Administrative deadlines for investment projects of regional interest are to be halved.
Business organisations had also criticised the bill. The Navarra Business Association, the Association of Family Businesses and the Navarra Chamber of Commerce considered the text inadequate. The regional minister responsible for industry, Mikel Irujo defended the law in Parliament and pointed to a wide-ranging consultation process. At the same time, he sharply criticised the organisations’ objections.
Despite rejecting the law, Ibarrola’s party secured changes to it. According to Parliament, a total of 59 amendments were incorporated following committee consideration, including ten from the regionalists. They concern, among other things, transport links in various parts of Navarra, vocational training and housing. A public-private industrial committee is to report to Parliament annually on the implementation of the industrial plan and also assess the social and economic impact of public funds.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).