The Catalan business association Foment del Treball is going through a difficult period. In recent years, the organization has found itself at the center of political storms between Madrid and Barcelona. In Spain’s capital, Foment is viewed with suspicion, seen as aligned with separatist ideas. In Catalonia itself, the association has lost the support it once enjoyed during Jordi Pujol’s long tenure. New political forces replacing the old guard have been reluctant to prioritize business interests.
Today’s Junts per Catalunya leaders lack both the experience and influence to serve as reliable allies for Foment. The Socialists, who head the Catalan government, do not share the employers’ economic agenda. Although Foment acknowledges that Salvador Illa has brought a degree of stability to regional politics, the association would prefer to see him allied with more moderate forces rather than with left-wing parties.
Lost bearings
For Foment, the ideal scenario would be for the Socialists and their allies in Madrid to take a tougher stance on a number of economic issues—such as opposing the reduction of the workweek, rejecting new energy taxes, abolishing the inheritance tax, and lowering the overall tax burden. Such an alliance would hark back to the times when CiU (Convergència i Unió) and PNV (Partido Nacionalista Vasco) played a key role in parliament and the interests of Catalan entrepreneurs were represented both in Barcelona and Madrid.
Now, however, Foment is forced to maneuver between different political forces. On one hand, the association tries to negotiate with Junts on key economic issues, which Junts often supports together with the Partido Popular and VOX. On the other hand, Foment hopes the Socialists will break away from their left-wing partners, but these hopes have yet to materialize.
Nostalgia for the past
In the past, Foment president Josep Sánchez Llibre served as a CiU deputy in Madrid for over two decades. His experience and connections enabled the association to effectively defend business interests. At that time, CiU was a reliable partner, and Catalonia’s business elite felt secure. Now, however, Junts cannot offer the same level of stability, and the return of Carles Puigdemont remains uncertain.
After the breakup of CiU and the events surrounding the independence process, Foment had to turn to the central government for support. In particular, the association requested measures to simplify the relocation of companies’ legal headquarters, to protect them from political risks. However, even after tensions subsided and some companies began to return, the political climate still does not satisfy the business community.
Looking for new allies
Alberto Núñez Feijóo’s recent visit to Barcelona was an attempt to build bridges with Foment and leverage their ties with Puigdemont to put pressure on the central government. However, Junts is in no hurry to back the People’s Party’s initiatives, especially given their hardline stance on independence and amnesty. Additionally, Foment is concerned that collaboration with far-right parties could threaten social stability in the region.
Interestingly, a significant portion of Puigdemont’s voters would actually prefer to see Pedro Sánchez as prime minister. This highlights once again the complexity of the political landscape that Foment must navigate. The association is unwilling to support a government that includes far-right parties, fearing it could destabilize the situation in Catalonia.
Economic priorities
Recently, the only issue where Junts did not support Foment was the extension of nuclear power plant operations. For Sánchez Llibre, this is a matter of principle, as he views nuclear energy as vital for the region’s economy. Some observers link this position to gratitude toward energy companies that helped Foment overcome financial difficulties inherited from previous leadership.
The Socialists, for their part, are keeping the door open to dialogue. An example is the adoption of the law against repeat offenses, which was seen as a gesture towards Foment and Junts. Nevertheless, the association continues to feel isolated after the disappearance of CiU. In the past, Foment actively supported Pujol’s campaigns, but now it lacks the same confidence about the future.
If a new political force like Aliança Catalana emerges and manages to attract a portion of the electorate, Foment’s sense of isolation will only increase. The association continues to search for its place in a transformed Catalonia, where the old rules no longer apply.
It is worth noting that Foment del Treball is one of the oldest and most influential business associations in Catalonia. Founded back in the 19th century, the organization has played a key role in shaping the region’s economic policy for decades. Today, Foment unites hundreds of companies and sectoral groups, representing the interests of entrepreneurs both in Catalonia and at the national level. Despite political changes, the association remains an important player in the economic life of Spain.
