Business · Companies · 3 hrs ago
CEOE weighs banning business groups from joining rival confederations
CEOE president Antonio Garamendi has proposed banning dual membership for business groups in Spain’s leading employers’ organisation.
CEOE’s internal rules commission will study the proposal, which has not become a formal decision.
The issue arose after two Madrid groups joined Conpymes while remaining linked to traditional employers’ associations.
The dispute reflects competition for a voice in national business representation, including talks with the government.
Pimec and 18 other organisations have left Conpymes, saying they represent 80% of its members; Conpymes president José María Torres disputes this and says they represent less than 30%.
The departing groups accuse Conpymes of undemocratic management, while Torres rejects the accusations and says Pimec sought control of its representation.
The groups say they still want to represent small and medium-sized businesses nationally, and may create a new platform; some organisations have also challenged Conpymes’ leadership in court.
CEOE president Antonio Garamendi has proposed studying a ban on member business groups belonging to rival confederations at the same time.
The proposal is not a formal decision and will be examined by CEOE’s Internal Affairs Commission.
The issue follows the decision by two Madrid business groups to join Conpymes while retaining their ties to traditional business associations.
The debate comes amid a dispute within Conpymes, where Pimec and 18 other organisations have announced they are leaving.
- Who
- CEOE president Antonio Garamendi proposed examining the restriction. CEOE’s Internal Affairs Commission will study it.
- What
- CEOE is considering whether to prohibit member organisations from belonging to rival confederations at the same time.
- When
- The proposal was reported on 22 October 2026. The sources do not state when the commission will review it.
- Where
- Spain, within the Confederación Española de Organizaciones Empresariales (CEOE).
- Why
- The proposal comes amid competition over business representation and after two Madrid business groups joined Conpymes while keeping their existing affiliations.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Conpymes was created, aiming to challenge CEOE and Cepyme’s dominance in representation before the government.
The Madrid Official College of Administrative Managers and the Association of Administrative Managers and Offices joined Conpymes while retaining their traditional affiliations.
Pimec and 18 other organisations announced they were leaving Conpymes.
El Mundo reported that Garamendi had proposed studying a ban on dual affiliation, with no formal decision yet.
- Proposal
- Study a possible ban on dual affiliation
- Decision status
- No formal decision; CEOE’s Internal Affairs Commission will examine the proposal
- Organisations joining Conpymes
- Madrid Official College of Administrative Managers; Association of Administrative Managers and Offices
- Conpymes departures
- Pimec and 18 other organisations
- Conpymes creation
- 2021
What people are saying
unilateral and undemocratic management
less than 30% of the members