Antonio Garamendi, born in Getxo, Vizcaya in 1958, has rarely shied away from the spotlight. Since taking the helm four years ago, his presence has become a regular feature across Spanish media. In a period of uncertain economic direction for the PP, he and Bank of Spain chief Pablo Hernández de Cos emerged as the official voices for the PSOE coalition government. The question lingers: what does Garamendi offer now, and what might he contribute next?
Within the business community, opinions run hot. A former CEOE vice president, speaking at a Madrid Christmas gathering, suggested Garamendi appeared somewhat detached from the government during his first term and wondered what his approach would be this time. Critics have also taken aim at his salary, which sits around 350,000 euros annually when fixed and variable components are combined, even as the organization defends his full-time dedication to the presidency.
Some argue that the 14 deals with Moncloa and the confederation’s unions — representing about 3.5 million companies and the self-employed — leaned too heavily toward concessions. In the end, supporters say, the strategic goals remained out of reach. Garamendi won re-election as CEOE president in November, securing 534 votes to 87 for his opponent, Virginia Guinda, who represents the paper and cardboard sector. He also met with leaders from the Catalan business community, including Foment del Treball, and was joined by figures tied to family businesses and former politicians who have shaped the industry landscape.
Public statements in recent weeks reflect Garamendi’s sharpened stance against several government proposals. He has opposed or questioned measures from Labor Minister Yolanda Díaz on salaries, and from Energy Minister Teresa Ribera on taxes, while also weighing in on José Luis Escrivá’s pension and contribution reforms. The early pandemic honeymoon has faded; Garamendi now praises the leadership of Alberto Núñez Feijóo, even as he maintains a pragmatic relationship with regional authorities. Inigo Urkullu, lehendakari, described him in a television interview as a very moderate figure.
Garamendi is the fifth president of CEOE, the business federation born in 1977 under the umbrella of Foment del Treball. The organization’s rapport with governments has historically been fluid. Historical profiles note a trajectory from Mercedes Cabrera Calvo Sotelo, who highlighted constructive dialogue with the first PSOE government post-1982 elections, to later eras marked by shifting dynamics with different administrations. The path of leadership within CEOE has often mirrored broader political currents and the evolving role of business in public policy.
Over the years, the leadership baton has passed among notable executives. Ferrer Salat initiated the presidency, followed by Jose Maria Cuevas, Gerardo Diaz-Ferran, Juan Rosell, and Antonio Garamendi. Each brought their own approach to negotiations, governance, and the balancing act between business interests and political realities. The organization has faced moments of tension, recalibration, and reform as it responded to crises and changing economic priorities. The current period continues this pattern, with Garamendi aiming to chart a course that aligns enterprise vitality with responsible public policy. The leadership history reflects a lineage of family businesses and institutional actors who helped shape Spain’s modern economic landscape.