Catalan business leader Luis Conde brought together regional politicians, national government ministers, and corporate executives at the 13th Civet de la Fonteta gathering in the Empordà region on Saturday, calling for cross-party consensus amid heightened political polarization. The high-profile evening event drew dozens of figures from Spain’s economic and political spheres ahead of the general elections on November 29.
Political Leaders and Government Ministers Gather in the Empordà
The guest list featured high-ranking officials from both the regional Catalan government and central administration in Madrid. Attendees included Catalan regional president Salvador Illa, regional parliament president Josep Rull, and Spain’s minister of the presidency, justice, and relations with the cortes, Félix Bolaños. Four regional presidents traveled to the Empordà venue for the meeting: Basque lehendakari Imanol Pradales, Balearic Islands president Margalida Prohens, Andalusia president Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, and Murcia president Fernando López Miras. Former Catalan presidents Artur Mas and Pere Aragonès also attended, alongside European Investment Bank president Nadia Calviño and former minister of the presidency Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría.
Conde Emphasizes Dialogue and Regional Talent
In his address to the assembled guests, Conde stressed that the primary objective of the Civet de la Fonteta has always been to foster spaces for meeting. The president of the executive search firm Seeliger y Conde argued that public debate is increasingly dominated by insults rather than dialogue, which he claimed does not contribute to increasing democratic strength. Beyond political discourse, Conde pointed to the economic weight of Spain’s outlying territories. He noted that 22 companies listed on the Ibex-35 index are established or have some kind of link with the periphery of the state, framing the country’s periphery as a place where much of the state’s talent is found.
Corporate Executives and Cultural Figures in Attendance
The gathering drew prominent leaders from banking, media, and industry, alongside representatives from cultural institutions. Corporate attendees included Grupo Planeta president José Creuheras, Banc Sabadell chief executive Marc Armengol and former CEO César González-Bueno, Indra group president Àngel Simón, Puig president Marc Puig, and Banco Santander territorial director in Catalunya Sonia Colomar. Cultural and sports figures rounding out the guest list included former Barça president Sandro Rossell, Macba foundation president Ainhoa Grandes, and Gran Teatre del Liceu foundation president Helena Guardans. Several attendees also participated in a preliminary dinner hosted on Friday by lawyer and businessman Emili Cuatrecasas at Empordà Golf.
Keep reading
