Feijóo brings Luis Garicano into the PP project for the final stretch of the 28-M race
PP’s leadership has integrated Reformismo21 into its core plan, anchoring the effort around economist Luis Garicano, a former Ciudadanos Member of Parliament who stepped away from parliament last year to assume a professorship at Columbia University in New York. This marks a long-anticipated shift in the orange party’s leadership lineup as the campaign intensifies.
Garicano earned his PhD in Economics from the University of Chicago and has held roles as a professor of Strategy and Economics at the Instituto de Empresa Business School and at the London School of Economics. His transition to politics saw him elected as a representative for Ciudadanos, serving from 2019 to 2022. In the European arena, he acted as vice-president of Renew Europe and of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, reflecting a long-standing commitment to liberal economic principles and pro-European integration.
Garicano later returned to academia as a visiting professor at Columbia Business School and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. During his years in graduate study and early professional work, he studied under prominent economists who shaped contemporary thought on macro policy and growth strategies. The passing of one of these influential mentors recently prompted reflections on his lasting intellectual influence and pedagogical approach.
In social media posts commemorating his mentor, Garicano highlighted the mentor’s reputation as a rigorous thinker and thoughtful writer, underscoring a lifelong fascination with big ideas and deep analysis. The mentorship experience is cited as a formative factor in Garicano’s own approach to economic policy and teaching philosophy.
The academic circle that Garicano joined also included early proponents of human capital theory, who emphasized the critical role of education and skill development in economic progression. These ideas have frequently informed discussions about workforce policy, innovation, and competitiveness across Europe and the broader economy.
Research and advisory work
Garicano has been connected with several research and policy institutes. He has contributed to projects at the Center for Economics and Policy Studies and has engaged with McKinsey & Company through the 1998 engagement, as well as the McKinsey Foundation for Applied Economic Studies in 2010. He also served as an independent member of the governance council for a leading financial institution from early 2012 to mid-2016, where he advised on management and strategic issues.
Sources within the party indicate a strategic alignment between Garicano’s expertise and the PP’s current direction. Observers note that his sustained wealth of knowledge and practical experience could inform the party’s approach to governance, economic reform, and institutional modernization. The collaboration brings together a cadre of seasoned professionals and opinion leaders, including former ministers and senior figures from diverse sectors, all contributing to a cohesive plan for the campaign and its post-election agenda.
With the inclusion of such profiles, the foundation supporting the PP’s leadership campaign positions itself as a hub of policy expertise and strategic guidance. The roster of contributors encompasses experts, mentors, and coaches who bring together academia, sports management, and industry know-how to shape a comprehensive approach to leadership, policy development, and public service. This blend aims to strengthen the party’s credibility on economic issues, competitiveness, and the modernization of public institutions, while also signaling a readiness to collaborate with a broad spectrum of stakeholders in pursuit of national goals.