The first opinion piece of Teresa Garcia-Milà's term as head of the Círculo de Economía (Circle of Economy) focuses on immigration, a phenomenon that all political parties, regardless of their political leanings, use more as an electoral tool and a means of conflict than as a means of finding solutions. A calm and in-depth debate is necessary to address this issue, as it is a structural one. In recent years, both Catalonia and Spain have experienced a surge in newcomers, which, while not the sole factor, has contributed to rising housing prices, as supply has failed to meet the accelerated demand, also putting pressure on public services. In a short time, compared to other countries, our numbers have grown significantly. Therefore, this prestigious forum, whose members represent a broad range of ideologies, has chosen to dedicate its opinion piece—the document through which it establishes its position on major issues—to a subject that is often treated demagogically by politicians. There are no magic formulas or easy solutions to a complex issue with many facets, from economic and labor issues to social ones, which has fallen too heavily into the hands of populist rhetoric.

The Circle of Economy has decided to address a central issue that sparks debate and even poisons politics: immigration. In an opinion piece, a document through which this organization expresses its views on essential matters, the Circle calls on the PSOE and the PP to reach an agreement to regulate immigration, which, it argues, requires treatment as a matter of national policy. The document, titled The need for a migration policy: production model, integration and social welfareThe Circle criticizes the lack of a "genuine immigration policy" in Catalonia and Spain and the application of "a succession of reactive and fragmented responses," such as the regularization announced by the Spanish government, which it sees as necessary but also as "an acknowledgment of failure, which should not perpetuate past mistakes." One of the Circle's recommendations is to review the "arraigo" (rooting) policy, which is rarely used in other countries and, although conceived as an exception, has become the most common way to obtain residency and employment. Furthermore, it contributes to the precariousness of the labor market, fosters a low-wage economic model in which per capita income does not grow sufficiently, and generates a pull factor that increases irregular immigration. Without specifying how, the Circle advocates "modulating" the entry of immigrants and aligning it with the objective of shifting towards a more productive and less labor-intensive economic model based on low wages.

It is not common for the country's main economic and business players to agree and adopt a common position on such a politically poisoned issue as regional financing, but This is exactly what has happened The statement, signed by all the chambers of commerce, the Círculo de Economía (Circle of Economy), Barcelona Global, Fomento, Pimec, the RACC, Fira de Barcelona, ​​the College of Economists, and FemCat, highlights the effort involved in conducting a joint analysis of the situation and reaching conclusions. Political parties should take note of this, because ambitious goals can only be achieved by forging broad consensus. And what does the statement say about the funding proposal put forward by the Spanish government after reaching an agreement with ERC? It states that it is "a significant improvement over the current model" but that it "cannot be considered sufficient." Therefore, it calls on Catalan parties to "work together" to improve certain aspects and safeguard others already included in the proposal.

The Círculo de Economía (Economic Circle) highlights territorial balance as the main impact of the potential merger being promoted by BBVA with Banc Sabadell. This is one of the "general interest" arguments incorporated by this organization into the public consultation launched by the central government, presented this Tuesday by the Círculo's president, Jaume Guardiola, and its general director, Miquel Nadal. The entity believes that the only options that the National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC) should have approved to preserve free competition were either to impose the sale of part of the business in the event of a potential merger or, simply, to prevent it.

Journalists are often criticized for asking about post-election pacts during campaigns rather than the proposals made by each party. This is a recurring criticism of political parties, especially those that prefer not to show all their cards to the voters and have room to maneuver to do whatever they want after the vote, unencumbered by the press archives. However, what is happening in both Catalonia and Madrid shows that this is one of the most relevant questions that can be put on the table, especially since parliamentary fragmentation is here to stay. It's not so important what a political leader wants, but what alliances they have to achieve it.

Economics professor Teresa Garcia-Milà will take over from Jaume Guardiola as president of the Círculo de Economía at the end of June or beginning of July, following the entity's general assembly. She will be the first woman to hold this position in the sixty-seven-year history of this organization, which brings together more than 1,500 businesspeople, executives, and representatives from the economic and social world.

It is no coincidence that the award for European construction at the closing of the 40th Annual Meeting of the Círculo de Economía (Economy Circle) in Barcelona went to Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice President and European Commissioner for Social Rights, Skills, Quality Employment and Training. She represents the organization responsible for the Erasmus program and was recognized with a speech by the Minister for the European Union and External Action, Jaume Duch.

Alberto Núñez Feijóo has learned his lesson. He can't come to Barcelona and try to seduce Catalan businesspeople with arguments he'll have to swallow as soon as he arrives in Zaragoza, which is what happened to him the first time. This Tuesday, Feijóo, speaking at the Círculo de Economía, declined to offer any specific message regarding regional financing or takeover bids and simply limited himself to delivering the same speech he would give at a meeting with businesspeople in Extremadura or La Rioja: tax cuts and the repeal of interventionist laws like the ones mentioned above. The dream of an autonomist PP, which those attending the 2022 conference dreamed of, has gradually faded, until it has completely disappeared in 2025.

It remained to be known the opinion of the leader of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, after the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, announced yesterday at the Annual Meeting of the Círculo de Economía in Barcelona that he would launch a public consultation on BBVA's takeover bid for Sabadell before making a decision. And he did not waste the opportunity to criticize the initiative, which was well received by a segment of the Catalan business community, which is largely opposed to the merger that would leave Catalonia without the headquarters of a major bank. Drawing a parallel with the case of both entities, we could say that the Popular Party leader has launched a hostile takeover on Sánchez's initiative.

In the process of BBVA's takeover bid (OPA) for Banc Sabadell, which the financial institution chaired by Carlos Torres Vila hopes will result in a merger, not everything is set in stone. Despite last week's unanimous ruling by the National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC), a new chapter is opening, one that will be led by the Spanish government, which has opposed the operation from the outset. Its president, Pedro Sánchez, took it upon himself to describe the takeover bid as "hostile" during his speech on the first day of the 40th Annual Meeting of the Círculo de Economía (Economy Circle) in Barcelona.

The Círculo de Economía Conference has been a haven for years for those nostalgic for the sociovergencia, an alliance we could define as a radical center that has never governed as such in the Generalitat, but which during the Pujol/Maragall administrations functioned as a complete system with its different spheres of influence (state, national, and municipal). Let's be clear, Catalan businessmen still like Salvador Illa and prefer Pedro Sánchez in the Moncloa Palace to Alberto Núñez Feijóo, but what they can't stand are his partners. And many don't hide a certain frustration. A representative of the real estate sector, for example, is particularly complaining about the rhetoric the Socialists, in Madrid and Barcelona, ​​have adopted toward their apartment owners. "They are criminalizing them, and that is a mistake," he states before admitting what he would really like: "For us, the best thing would be an understanding between the Socialists and Junts, but it is very difficult with Puigdemont, very difficult," he states laconically.

When Spain regained democracy in the late 1970s, a song became an anthem: "Habla pueblo habla" ("The People Speak, They Speak"), encouraging citizens to participate in the polls to approve the political reform law after 40 years of dictatorship. Well, President Pedro Sánchez, in his speech at the opening of the 40th Annual Economic Circle Meeting in Barcelona, ​​seems to have recovered that spirit.

When Spain regained democracy in the late 1970s, a song became an anthem: "Speak, people, speak[ [Speak, people, speak].] He encouraged citizens to participate in the polls to endorse the law of political reform after 40 years of dictatorship. Well, President Pedro Sánchez, in his speech at the opening of the 40th Annual Meeting of the Economic Circle in Barcelona, ​​​​seems to have recovered that spirit.

Before making a mistake again by doing things as usual, there is a moment of optimism in which the human race convinces itself that "this time it will be different". It is a catch-all phrase that is as successful as "it is not what it seems" and contains a few moments of hope in which it is possible to think of a happy, unveiled north ahead.

The Minister of Economy of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Jaume Giró, has called for "co-governance" and "co-management" of the European Union's NextGen funds that the State will receive. "Catalonia has done its homework with regard to the European Funds", he said, which is why he has called for support from employers and unions to prevent the Government from being "a simple administrator" of the funds and, to this end, he announced the creation of a "secretariat for economic affairs and European funds".

Since the 1990s, when academics such as Antoni Castells and Núria Bosch began to study fiscal balances between territories in Spain and the so-called capital effect which favours the concentration of resources in Madrid, much has happened. With time, and many economic arguments later, a discourse that at the time and until much later was identified with nationalist (and later pro-independence) positions is beginning to make a dent in other areas, even outside Catalonia. The denunciations of the financing system and the effects of the State on Madrid's economy are no longer exclusive to Catalonia. It is significant that the latest in-depth report on how Madrid sucks in resources was signed by the Valencian Institute of Economic Research (IVIE). Well, in this context, the Cercle d'Economia yesterday took a strong position on this issue and stated: "Madrid cannot suck in resources from the rest of Spain. Ignoring its role as capital can cause ¡strong disaffection in the rest of the country".