Sánchez returns to the appointment with family businesses in the midst of the housing and legislative crisis

BarcelonaAfter eight years, Pedro Sánchez, in the midst of a housing and legislative crisis – partly due to the rejection by the Congress of Deputies of the two housing decrees approved by the Spanish government – and with rumors of an early election, returns to the annual event that brings together the major family businesses. After avoiding it since the last time he participated, in October 2018, in Valencia, a few months after winning the motion of no confidence that toppled Mariano Rajoy (PP), the head of the executive committed to opening this Monday the 29th edition of the national congress organized in Madrid by the Family Business Institute (IEF). This organization brings together a hundred of the main family businesses, from Mercadona to Fluidra, Puig, Hotusa, Mango, Occident, Pikolín, Banca March or Banco Santander, among others.

Despite sending ministers, Sánchez, from 2019 to 2025, had ceded the spotlight to the PP at the annual event held every year in a Spanish city, first in favor of the previous popular leader, Pablo Casado, and then in favor of Alberto Núñez Feijóo, who also speaks at the conference this Monday, three hours later than the president of the Spanish government. Who has disappeared from the final program is the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, who was to close the congress on Tuesday with the president of the IEF, Eloi Planes (president of the Catalan multinational Fluidra), elected last May for the statutory two-year term and who is debuting as host of this event. At the moment it is not clear whether Ayuso will attend. Neither will the King, who has gone every year since he acceded to the throne in 2014, due to scheduling problems because of a trip to Finland, according to the organization.

Ministers, but not the president

Sánchez's relationship with the lobby that groups family businesses has been cold in recent years. Since the 2019 congress, he would send a minister, but he would not attend himself. On this occasion, the Spanish Prime Minister will have to address an audience with whom he does not usually have a very close relationship. And added to this is the flurry of rumors about the end of the legislative term and a possible early call for elections after Congress caused the two housing decrees approved by the executive to fail. Politics will loom over the conference, much more so than on other occasions.

The lobby's event, which expects the attendance of more than 700 business people, has as its theme Center of gravity. One of the highlights of this meeting, which is being held at the Gran Teatro Príncipe Pío, in Madrid, will be the interactive survey in which the business people and executives of the attending companies rate the economy and provide clues about their labor hiring and internationalization strategies. Last year they viewed the economic situation with optimism, which they rated at 5.66 points on a scale of 0 to 9, above what they estimated a year earlier. Almost half foresaw moderate economic growth and limited net job creation, at 48%, while 47% thought that growth would be fragile without net job creation. 52% estimated that they would maintain their workforce.

The business agenda

During the Congress, the topics that define the business and social agenda in Spain at this moment will be put on the table. The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in business models and in the day-to-day life of society will be one of the central topics of the agenda. Thus, Monday's session will conclude with a presentation in which Pilar Manchón, Google's Director of AI Research Strategy, will break down how this technology will shape the future of society and the most relevant industries of the global economy.

Juvencio Maeztu, Deputy CEO and Global President of Ingka Group (Ikea), will also participate, analyzing how leadership is built in a long-lasting family-owned company. Jorge Gallardo, President of the private healthcare company Vithas, will explain the strategy of this company, owned by his family, the main shareholders of the Catalan pharmaceutical company Almirall. And there will also be space to talk about competitiveness and geostrategy by Pol Morillas, Director of Cidob, and Ana Palacio, Vice President of the World Bank, among others.