Employers’ associations admit being “worried” about the political fragmentation in Spain and Catalonia

Barcelona (CNA).- The largest business organisation in Catalonia, Foment del Treball, expressed their concerns regarding the results of the 20-D Spanish Elections, which led to “a fragmentation of the political map” and showed the difficulties in forming “stable and strong” governments. Foment del Treball’s president, Joaquim Gay de Montellà, made this statement during the celebration of the eighth edition of the Carles Ferrer Salat Awards, which recognise remarkable initiatives in the business world. “Everything would be easier if it would have been possible to start a dialogue process” he stated in a speech before current Catalan President Artur Mas and the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, José Manuel García Margallo. Gay de Montellà also announced that “the risk of recession has moved away and the economy is running” but the “political and institutional instability in Catalonia, Spain and Europe” continues. 

Foment del Treball’s president assured those present that employers will do their duty but warned that they need “a context of legal security” and for the country “to continue with the scheduled reforms”. Regarding the political situation between Catalonia and Spain, he called for those involved to “make proposals and find a solution to overcome the distance between Catalonia and Spain”. “Everything would be easier if it would have been possible to start a dialogue process”, he lamented.

According to Gay de Montellà, the results of the 20-D Spanish Elections show “a fragmentation of the political map”. Following on from this, and addressing current Catalan President Artur Mas and the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, José Manuel García Margallo, he admitted to being “very worried” about the “real possibilities for the political parties to reach agreements” and form “stable and strong governments in Spain and Catalonia”.

During the celebration of the eighth edition of the Carles Ferrer Salat Awards, Gay de Montellà also announced that “the risk of recession has moved away and the economy is running” and used macroeconomic figures as examples. He noted that growth in GDP this year is set to be 3.6% and that the unemployment rate is currently 17.5%, lower than last year’s 19.1%. Such improvements have been possible thanks to the “reformist agenda” which the Spanish and Catalan governments have both launched and that “companies, families and workers have firmly executed and assumed with many sacrifices” he stated. Therefore, he emphasised the need for the country to have a new government “which won’t give up on the reformists’ efforts” and will facilitate the economic recovery throughout 2016.

Catalonia’s fit within Spain, a historic problem

The president of Spain’s confederation of employers’ associations, CEOE, Juan Rosell also participate in the event and commented on Catalonia’s fit within Spain, which he described as a “historic problem”. According to Rosell, it is “possible” to solve this fit if all the figures and all the information are laid on the table and a “reasonable dialogue” is started to reach a political agreement. He also played down the frontiers and the attempts to build walls between countries. He called for “observing Europe” and implementing European legislation to stop being “a mouse” in the international economy.

Mas believes in a solution despite the “highly complex” situation

Mas also spoke during the event and in response to the business world’s concerns he called for “patience, perseverance and decisions” since “solutions are likely to be found” in a “highly complex” political situation in Catalonia and Spain. However, he assured that “it is impossible” to get through an economic and social “convulsion” without “political consequences”.

He also referred to the negotiation process between pro-independence cross-party list ‘Junts Pel Sí’ and radical left CUP to constitute a new government. “We know that agreement doesn’t equal humiliation” he stated and named other countries in Europe which have a greater culture of “agreement” that Spain. “It is the seed of understanding and of the possibility to start advancing altogether”, he assured.

Margallo: “Some bridges are damaged but none are broken”

For his part, Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs José Manuel García Margallo called to talk “with generosity, farsightedness and general interest” to find an agreed solution “always within the law”. “We have lived through difficult times, but we have been able to stay on track” he stated “we still have time to bring back what should have never been lost: the spirit of agreement and concord”. Margallo expressed his optimism and assured that “some bridges are damaged but none are broken”.