The Diplomat in Spain

The Diplomat

The president of the Spanish Confederation of Employers’ Organisations (CEOE), Antonio Garamendi, has revalidated his mandate as head of the employers’ association for another four years, after winning the support of 534 votes at the employers’ electoral assembly held yesterday.

Garamendi beat his only rival, the vice-president of Foment del Treball, Virginia Guinda, who received 87 votes.

In total, 643 votes were counted, of which 14 were blank and 8 invalid. Excluding the blank and invalid votes, Garamendi’s support was close to 86%. Out of the total of 643 votes, the Basque businessman obtained the backing of 83% of the Assembly.

In the next few days, the Board of Directors of the employers’ association will be convened to appoint the vice-presidents and the members of the Executive Committee.

This will be Garamendi’s second mandate after being elected president of the CEOE in 2018 by acclamation of the Electoral Assembly. It will also be his last, as the statutes of the employers’ association limit the time a person can remain in the presidency to two terms.

With his re-election, the Basque businessman remains the fifth president of the CEOE since its foundation in 1977, after Carlos Ferrer Salat, José María Cuevas, Gerardo Díaz Ferrán and Juan Rosell.

Garamendi, born in 1958 in Getxo (Vizcaya), is a law graduate, businessman and former board member of REE. Throughout his professional career, he has held various positions, including CEO of Bankoa, Chairman of Grupo Negocios, Director of Babcock & Wilcox and Tubos Reunidos, Chairman of the employers’ association for young entrepreneurs Ceaje, and member of the Vizcaya Chamber of Property.