The Socialist Party of the Basque Country (PSE) has said that these actions are insufficient and come too late to prevent risky situations, such as the overflow of people who gather around the cider houses.

The PSE councillor in Hernani, Xabier García, stressed that the new restrictions – which include stepping up surveillance and controls at the entrances to the cider houses – do not adequately address the problem, as they believe these measures are being taken when the txotx season is already in full swing.

“These decisions should have been implemented earlier, when the rise in crowds and the lack of control over public space were already visible,” said García, who called on the governing team to strengthen the measures for the rest of the season.

For its part, the local government has defended the initiatives adopted as aimed at minimising risks in the coming days, noting that the behaviour of people visiting the cider houses has improved compared with previous years.