Gérard Pérez has decided not to run for CEOE presidency, declining a race against Antonio Garamendi
The president of Faconauto, Gérard Pérez, has chosen not to compete with Antonio Garamendi for the CEOE presidency. This decision was communicated in a statement on Wednesday after Pérez said he had considered his candidacy with scrupulous seriousness and honesty. With limited backing to challenge the Basque businessman, Pérez is stepping back from the race and will not formalize any candidacy. Garamendi, who currently leads the employers’ association, remains the sole official candidate for the leadership of the business organization, whose assembly will elect the next president in the upcoming vote.
A short time earlier Pérez indicated he would explore the possibility of running for the top post. Despite his public stance about seriously considering a bid, Garamendi quickly secured the open support of the main groups that form CEOE. The movement toward leadership change has not found a broad coalition willing to back Pérez, and Garamendi has emerged as the preferred option among the dominant factions within the group.
The reform agenda championed by Garamendi and his closely aligned team did not gain strong backing from some key organizations. Notably, CEIM, the Madrid business association focused on workforce development, did not align with the plan and did not join in the push. The leadership of society, the manufacturers, and primary sectors have shown reservations as well, with the influence of various industry leaders weighing on the process. Critics have argued that Garamendi did not engage deeply with CEOE leadership during the discussions. Yet this internal dissent has not translated into visible alternative candidacies at this stage.
Pérez, who faced pressure after a career move that brought him into the fold of the car sector, has been linked by some observers to the possibility of steering Cepyme under Gerardo Cuerva. The idea has never been publicly pursued by Pérez, but it has circulated in conversations and among those who observe industry leadership dynamics. The Cepyme leadership, in turn, expressed support for Garamendi when his candidacy became official. Still, dissenting voices have floated the option of rallying behind another contender if enough voices grew restless and sought to organize an alternative nomination around Pérez or another figure. The challenge for any potential challenger is gathering enough backing within the federation to avoid aggravating tensions that could undermine the organization’s unity.
As of now, Cuerva has not signaled an intention to participate in the employer election. The window for nominations remains open until the official submission deadline. If no additional candidates step forward, Antonio Garamendi would be confirmed as CEO for another term, effectively solidifying his leadership and the direction he has prioritized for the organization over the coming years. [Source attribution: industry election coverage]