Gerardo Cuerva, president of the Spanish Confederation of Small and Medium Enterprises, did not hesitate to step fully into the electoral conversation in Zaragoza this week. He offered pointed criticism of the Pedro Sánchez government, even as Spain shows solid data on the economy and employment within the European frame. Cuerva argued that the business sector needs a different path and said in clear terms that the current approach is not the right one as the general elections on June 26 approach.
Cuerva did not shy from blaming the central authorities, describing what he called a climate of cruelty and harassment toward entrepreneurs without detailing specific motives for the claim. He warned that a truly business-friendly environment has not yet materialized, describing the policy as overly intrusive. He underscored the notion that economic activity should remain the central focus of society, not merely a means to drive other political aims.
These remarks were offered during a press conference held before a business meeting with Maria Jesus Lorente, president of Cepyme Aragón, and Antonio Lacoma, regional director of Ibercaja in Aragón. The discussion highlighted a strategic alliance between the bank and Aragonese business leaders aimed at promoting SME activity in the autonomous community. A conference titled Challenges and Opportunities for Spanish SMEs followed this gathering.
Cuerva recalled that the last three years have been exceptionally tough for small and medium-sized enterprises. He cited the traumatic impact of the pandemic and the subsequent inflationary surge, intensified by the war in Ukraine. He pointed to a marked rise in prices, insisting that households’ efforts and savings have been stretched by higher production costs driven by energy and raw materials pressures.
“Entrepreneur is not at the target, but at the center”
In responding to these pressures, Cuerva noted what he called an exponential climb in interest rates that has tightened access to credit, along with rising labor costs fueled by increases in the inter-occupational minimum wage. He observed that the policy trajectory under the current government has contributed to a more constrained business environment, arguing that businesspeople have faced unnecessary harassment in the execution of their activities. He urged the authorities to place entrepreneurs at the heart of policy-making rather than treating them as merely the target of policy measures.
Cuerva pressed for a more constructive approach to economic policy, stressing that the state should avoid stifling business decisions. He argued that a stable and predictable framework—grounded in legal certainty and moderate, non-disruptive fiscal measures—could foster a more favorable climate for enterprise. The aim, he explained, is to align policy with the needs of real production, ensuring that regulations do not derail investment or operational flexibility.
The businessman underscored that, regardless of which party forms the next government, the course of Spanish politics should be corrected in a way that strengthens the pillars of stability and predictable governance. He called for policies that enable firms to grow, hire responsibly, and contribute to social welfare without being hampered by excessive state interference. He warned that failure to support the business fabric would jeopardize employment, economic progress, and the durability of the welfare state.
Cuerva also urged the government to consider the practical consequences of proposed regulations on the production chain. He argued that the path to a stronger economy lies in empowering companies to innovate and compete, rather than constraining their strategic decisions with frequent changes in policy direction. The emphasis remained on a pragmatic, business-friendly stance that recognizes the essential role of SMEs in economic resilience.