Businesses and Junts after the reduction in working hours and Giró's departure

BarcelonaTogether has knocked down this week the reduction of working hours, heeding the demands of Catalan business organizations—Foment, Pimec, Cecot, and Femcat, as well as the president of the Círculo de Economía. Furthermore, a week ago, the former Minister of Economy Jaume Giró broke with Junts Amid criticism of the party's leadership. The former general director of the La Caixa Foundation, a pragmatist, had disagreements, especially since the fragility of the coalition government with ERC, and when he folded, he attacked a "tactical" policy that prevented "collaboration between the main forces," including Salvador Illa's government. Although agreements between the Socialists and regional government officials are also a desire of a segment of the business community, as requested by Círculo at its conference this year, and Foment, these agreements are far from materializing. What is Junts' relationship with the business community? What has Giró's departure meant?

"When Giró leaves, it is the moment of maximum pragmatism and influence," maintain Junts sources consulted by ARA, who believe that Junts now has a "decisive role" in Congress, which they use "in favor of Catalonia." Other knowledgeable sources reinforce the point by emphasizing that, "as long as the seven deputies are influential, the employers' associations will continue to pressure Junts to achieve things, even if they criticize them privately for their vehement approach." This relevance has boosted relations with various economic sectors, precisely at a time when Junts has also shifted to the right, with an unapologetic defense of liberal policies. Beyond the reduction of working hours or the call for tax cuts in Catalonia and Spain, it has aligned itself with the business community on multiple aspects: the rapport was captured when, with the argument of safeguarding a multi-million-dollar investment by Repsol in Camp de Tarragona, it rejected the extraordinary tax on the sector. Later There was a great meeting with the company.

They also discussed the implementation of renewable energy and the extension of nuclear energy, allowing a proposal to prosper in Congress. And they have forged good relations with employers' associations on multiple issues. It is no coincidence that the leadership of the Ministry of Public Works met with Puigdemont in Waterloo, as did PIMEC and Cecot. They have also met with the Council of Trade Unions and with unions such as Intersindical and UGT, with their leader Pepe Álvarez, who has tried to push for shorter working hours, without success.

Intense relationships

Sources in the regional government report that the party has "relationships with all sectors, unions, employers' associations, SMEs, chambers of commerce" and that it uses "its influence" in Madrid to "defend the economic and social model." A model that, although always part of the party's DNA, they admit that "at crucial moments, due to the emphasis that had to be placed, the national project was more hidden." In other words, it had taken a backseat during the years of the Process. Indeed, one of the alliances that Puigdemont's party has most tried to foster is with small and medium-sized businesses, as well as with the self-employed. However, these sources also warn that they are acting "to seek the balance the country needs," contradicting Republican leader Gabriel Rufián, who accused them of being a leash on the employers' association. Other sources familiar with the economic sectors report that "many amendments and small laws are agreed upon" with economic sectors, or that initiatives are "delayed."

The economic approach is one of Junts' resources to gain ground on Isla. For example, with the defense of the Hard Rock or the Tarragona green hydrogen project, which makes them realize that "there is a certain society that expected Isla to do something that hasn't happened and now they realize the importance of Junts." The economic team of the Junts is one of the party's leading figures, with Puigdemont himself at the helm, as well as the secretary general, Jordi Turull; the leader in Madrid, Míriam Nogueras; the president of the Junts group in Parliament, Albert Batet; and the vice president of the party, Toni Castellà. Junts considers that "relations with companies, key regulatory areas, and a relevant economic and decision-making power" are well-developed, with a presence in Renfe, Aena, and several companies and regulators such as the CNMC. "We are more in over our heads than ever," they conclude.

Giró's farewell: a shudder?

However, despite this symbiosis, there are sources within the party who believe a refocusing of "priorities" and strategy is necessary, since "Catalonia in 2025 has nothing to do with that of 2017." This would involve what Giró advocated in his farewell letter: "political centrality" and "capacity for pacts with the Government." That is, beyond relations with the business community in Madrid, being influential in the Spanish legislature, but also in that of Catalonia. The former minister lamented this strategic divergence.

Giró's departure has been a shock, especially for the world of municipal councils, according to knowledgeable sources, in addition to the astonishment of the business sector, with whom the former Minister of Economy maintained a very good relationship. It was a profile in which these sectors saw themselves represented: "It is not positive that such an important asset has resigned," some municipal sources report.

The same sources maintain that "different souls can coexist within the party" with an "integrative and inclusive" vision, because "otherwise, we will become increasingly smaller." Therefore, they ask the current Junts leadership to "be generous and make everyone feel important," because "perhaps they haven't made Giró feel important enough for what he could contribute." Sources close to the former minister's circle of friends explain to ARA that Giró "has opened a two-month reflection period to see what he will do." For now, he is receiving "many calls from the private and political worlds, and from all over," and in five or six weeks he will have clarified what he wants to do.