Spain: the war between employers’ leaders encourages metal employers to present its candidate for the presidency of the CEPYME, the confederation of SMEs

The election, in May, of the President of the Confederation of Small and Medium-Size Businesses (CEPYME), lets the personal conflicts between the leader of the CEOE and his counterpart from CEPYME, member of CEOE, out. Jesus Barcenas, current leader of the SME employers’ organization, created a surprise when he presented himself for a third term, against all odds. From now on, he is opposed to Jesus Maria Terciado (leader of the confederation of employers’ organizations in Castile y Leon), knighted by his rival, Gerardo Diaz Ferran. However, he is also opposed to Antonio Garamendi (leader of the CEOE’s energy commission). By pushing Garamendi’s candidacy, Confemetal*, the most powerful sectoral organization in the country, representing 150,000 businesses, 98% of which have less than 50 employees, wants to propose exiting the personal rivalry of these two leaders. It also wants to take some distance from the management of the current presidency of the CEPYME, while refusing the appointment of a candidate directly chosen by the President of CEOE without getting their own support from the confederation of SMEs. “We don’t have time to waste on ego quarrels while the economic crisis affects thousands of small businesses in manufacturing” Confemetal explained, criticizing the “drift” in Mr. Barcenas’ management, too impacted by rivalry with Mr. Diaz Ferran.