Cepyme Elections: Cuerva and De Miguel Face Off on May 20th
The Confederation of Small and Medium Enterprises (Cepyme) is gearing up for a pivotal election on May 20th, where the current president, Gerardo Cuerva, will be challenged by Ángela de Miguel, the head of CEOE in Valladolid. The outcome of this election is poised to shape the direction of Spain's leading organization for small and medium-sized businesses in the coming years. According to sources within the organization, as reported by El País, the election date has been proposed to the executive committee and is expected to be finalized at the upcoming board meeting (Sánchez Hidalgo & Pascual Cortés, 2025).
A Battle for the Soul of Cepyme
The election is not merely a contest between two individuals; it represents a clash of visions for Cepyme's future. Cuerva is campaigning on a platform of maintaining Cepyme's independent voice, while De Miguel is advocating for a more prominent public presence and closer alignment with the CEOE, the larger national employers' association. Antonio Garamendi, the president of CEOE, is reportedly backing De Miguel, signaling a desire for change within Cepyme (Sánchez Hidalgo & Pascual Cortés, 2025).
«I am running for re-election because a Cepyme that gives voice to SMEs is at risk,» Cuerva stated in an interview with Expansión, highlighting his commitment to ensuring that the interests of small businesses are represented (Cuerva, 2025).
De Miguel, in an interview with El Norte de Castilla, argued that «Cepyme needs to have a public presence that it currently lacks» and that Cuerva is leaving «the seat of SMEs empty at the social dialogue tables» (De Miguel, 2025). This statement underscores her belief that Cepyme needs a more assertive role in shaping economic policy and representing the interests of its members.
The Delegated Vote Controversy
Adding another layer of complexity to the election is the issue of delegated voting. The Cepyme leadership initially sought to eliminate delegated voting, arguing that it undermines democratic principles. However, facing resistance from the executive committee, Cuerva ultimately agreed to maintain the previous rules allowing delegated votes. This decision highlights the internal tensions within Cepyme and the challenges of balancing different viewpoints within the organization.
“We cannot accept that our organization is not governed by democratic principles. It is inconceivable. In the 21st century in democratic Europe they want to vote like with Franco. And they are going to take away the credit of the organizations,” sources from the Cepyme leadership stated, underscoring the depth of feeling surrounding the issue (Sánchez Hidalgo & Pascual Cortés, 2025).
Regional Support Emerges
As the election draws closer, regional business groups are beginning to publicly declare their support for the candidates. The Business Confederation of the Valencian Community (CEV) has issued a statement expressing its support for Ángela de Miguel, emphasizing her potential to strengthen Cepyme's position as a firm but conciliatory voice for the business sector. The Federation of Companies of La Rioja has also voiced its support for De Miguel (Sánchez Hidalgo & Pascual Cortés, 2025).
“Ángela de Miguel’s leadership can contribute to strengthening Cepyme’s positioning as a firm, but conciliatory voice, in defense of the business sector,” said Salvador Navarro, leader of the Valencian business association, in a statement, highlighting the support De Miguel is garnering (Navarro, 2025).
Looking Ahead: The Future of Small Businesses in Spain
The outcome of the Cepyme election will have significant implications for the future of small businesses in Spain. As El País is reporting, the new leader will be tasked with navigating a complex economic landscape and representing the interests of SMEs in key policy debates (Sánchez Hidalgo & Pascual Cortés, 2025). The decisions made by the next president of Cepyme will shape the environment for small businesses and their ability to thrive in the years to come.
- Key Issues: The new leader will have to address issues like delegated voting.
- Future Challenges: Addressing how to represent small businesses in key policy debates.
The election is not just about choosing a leader; it is about charting a course for the future of small and medium-sized enterprises in Spain. The choice between Cuerva and De Miguel represents a fundamental decision about the direction of Cepyme and its role in the Spanish economy. As the election approaches, all eyes will be on Cepyme to see who will emerge victorious and lead the organization into the future.
