Garamendi accuses the government of "pointing the finger" at companies "when it needs to find culprits" or "justifying ideological measures."

CEOE President Antonio Garamendi has accused the government of "pointing the finger" at companies when "it's necessary to find culprits" or "when it's necessary to justify purely ideological measures" and of capitalizing on "good economic results" for itself.

"As with the blackout, it's not always about directing attention toward the company as the usual suspect , which is happening all too often," Garamendi said during his closing remarks at the CEOE's '2025 Assembly.'

Thus, he has asked the Government to recognize the labor rights of companies, which are dedicated to "generating activity where there was none before, creating jobs, producing prosperity for those who risk their resources in their business and, simultaneously, for the rest of society."

"Governments always boast about GDP and employment data, when it's businesses that open and close, businesses that generate activity, businesses that create jobs," he explained, while calling for recognition of these efforts.

In this sense, he emphasized that the company "is not just a business, but also acts as an engine of economic growth and social progress," that is, as an "institution."

During his speech, Garamendi asserted that the "alleged cases of corruption that have come to light in recent months" have contributed to the lack of political stability currently being a cause of "deep concern" for the business community, and noted that it "drives away investment."

"This concerns us and makes us firmly point out that as a country, we cannot allow any level of corruption in any area, and that those who practice it, regardless of their status, must certainly pay for it," he stressed.

Along the same lines, the president of the employers' association has once again emphasized that "the corruptor is the one who has the power" and "the one who has the power is the one who manages it."

He also emphasized that business owners and companies are the "first" to "defend the public sector" and "defend public sector employees," because they defend a "strong, agile, and well-balanced" State, as well as an "independent and high-quality" civil service.

According to Garamendi, all of this "really represents the true antidote to combating corruption" and is "a guarantee that the Administration fulfills and continues to fulfill its support function without interference, especially political interference, from the market economy."

To this defense, he added that the CEOE is demanding an end to the "attacks" directed against judges, State Security Forces and Corps, and public employees following the civil service strike, "calling into question their independence."

Antonio Garamendi also took advantage of his speech to join the National Federation of Self-Employed Workers (ATA) in their "insistent" demand that the commitment made to extend unemployment benefits for self-employed workers affected by the Dana be fulfilled. "Things are approved and then not fulfilled," he lamented.

Regarding regional financing, Garamendi emphasized that "the path is not bilateral," but rather "a matter to be discussed among all communities," while "of course giving space to legitimate aspirations."

For Garamendi , this requires reaching "major agreements" and "approval through citizen participation," as was the case with the Basque and Navarre agreements, "which are included in the Constitution."

Furthermore, he emphasized that the "quality" of public services in Spain is at stake, "primarily healthcare, education, and social services."

The president of the employers' association also clarified that "being unique" should not be confused with singularity.

"We must all show solidarity and work together. And that's what I'm asking for: that a roundtable be opened to discuss this issue among everyone and for everyone, which is where the space is and where people are demanding it," he asserted.