Antonio Garamendi Reelected as President of CEOE

Antonio Garamendi was unanimously reelected as President of the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE) for the next four years at an Electoral Assembly held on October 5, 2026. ANESAR highlighted Garamendi's continuity and placed this mandate within a new period that presents specific challenges: technological transformation, the defense of business freedom, and the recovery of social dialogue. The re-election also coincides with the institutional calendar of the CEOE, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in June 2027 and is preparing for the XVI Ibero-American Business Meeting in Madrid on November 3 and 4.

Continuity of Garamendi: priorities highlighted by ANESAR

ANESAR valued the continuity at the head of CEOE as an element of stability for the Spanish business fabric. The association, which represents gaming hall companies, deemed it relevant that the new period addresses technological transformation and the defense of business freedom. In its statement, ANESAR emphasized the dialogue it maintains with the national business organization and the usefulness of this stability window for regulated sectors.

During his speech at the Electoral Assembly, Garamendi placed the development of artificial intelligence and a 'humanist vision of business' among the main challenges of his new term. He also defended private initiative, business freedom, and property rights; and called for greater market unity and the removal of barriers to business activity. These positions were cited by ANESAR as lines of work that directly affect its membership.

What does Garamendi's continuity mean for ANESAR and the gaming hall sector?

For ANESAR, the re-election adds predictability to its dialogue with CEOE. The association expects to continue discussions on regulatory and market matters that impact the operation of gaming halls in Spain. ANESAR believes that the defense of business freedom and the elimination of administrative barriers are particularly relevant for its sector, which operates in a regulated environment and seeks regulatory stability.

The association maintains active dialogue within the Spanish business fabric and will continue to leverage this position to raise sectoral issues before CEOE and other business forums. This work will include, according to ANESAR, monitoring proposals related to digital transformation and policies affecting the internal market.

Technological transformation and the mention of artificial intelligence

Garamendi placed artificial intelligence at the center of the mandate's agenda. His reference combined an interest in promoting technological development with the need to incorporate a 'humanist vision of business.' ANESAR acknowledged this reference as a signal that CEOE will keep technology and its labor and regulatory implications on the agenda for the upcoming four-year term.

The specific points cited by Garamendi included defense of private initiative and property rights, as well as a call for market unity and the elimination of barriers. For sectoral associations—among them ANESAR—these claims translate into requests for measures that simplify business operations and reduce administrative burdens.

Social dialogue, Ceuta, and international relations on the agenda

Garamendi asserted the need to restore a real social dialogue. ANESAR incorporated this demand within the priorities affecting labor governance and collective bargaining across the country. The re-elected president also addressed economic and institutional matters, including the situation in Ceuta and the need to reinforce international business relations.

Under Garamendi's presidency, CEOE will focus on coordinating with international stakeholders and preparing events that reconnect Spanish businesses with their Ibero-American and European counterparts. In this context, the business organization is working on logistics and the program for the XVI Ibero-American Business Meeting.

Institutional dates and upcoming events

Garamendi's new term will coincide with the 50th anniversary of CEOE, scheduled for June 2027. The organization also has on its calendar the XVI Ibero-American Business Meeting, which will take place in Madrid on November 3 and 4, 2026. ANESAR and other sectoral associations will participate in these institutional milestones, which combine internal agendas and multilateral meetings.

The Ibero-American Business Meeting is a significant opportunity for CEOE and its private sector counterparts to discuss trade and international cooperation priorities; ANESAR considers these forums useful for elevating sectoral demands to cross-border entities.

What should operators and sector associations make of this?

Although the vote was unanimous and showed unity, ANESAR understands that clarity on CEOE's priorities allows sectoral associations to plan their dialogue. For ANESAR, the axes cited by Garamendi—technological transformation, business freedom, property rights, and social dialogue—define the framework within which regulatory measures and economic policy proposals will be made during the next four years.

Gonzalo Marín, Operations Correspondent, will follow the implementation of these priorities and how they translate into concrete proposals affecting gaming hall companies and other regulated actors within the Spanish market.

'Business unity has been evident in the Electoral Assembly,' said ANESAR while valuing Garamendi's re-election.

Antonio Garamendi placed artificial intelligence and a humanist vision of business among the challenges of the new mandate.