The defense of economic freedom, criticism of European overregulation, and concern for Spain's energy and industrial future marked the institutional agenda of the Madrid delegation in Brussels. The president of CEIM, Miguel Garrido de la Cierva, and the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, agreed in conveying a clear message to the community institutions: the current European regulatory framework threatens to erode business competitiveness if it is not adapted to productive reality.
The company, axis of economic growth
During his speech at a meeting with Spanish companies and associations in Brussels, Garrido described freedom of enterprise as "an essential pillar of economic growth". The president of CEIM insisted that Europe faces a strategic dilemma: either it simplifies its regulatory framework or it runs the risk of losing weight in the global economy.
“Europe cannot aspire to lead innovation if it continues to impose regulatory obstacles that slow down investment,” he warned. In his diagnosis, small and medium-sized enterprises are the most harmed by regulations that, as he denounced, are “excessive, complex, and unpredictable.”
The business leader defended the need to move towards a more balanced environment that combines legal certainty with flexibility. In this regard, he claimed the role of the Spanish business fabric as an example of internationalization, highlighting its capacity to compete in strategic sectors such as energy, infrastructure, technology, or tourism.
An economic model based on fewer obstacles
One of the pillars of Garrido's speech was the constant reference to the economic model of the Community of Madrid. According to the president of CEIM, the region has shown that the reduction of administrative hurdles, regulatory stability, and confidence in private initiative generate a virtuous cycle of investment and employment.
“When obstacles are reduced, stability is bet on, and companies are trusted, more investment, more employment, and more opportunities are generated,” he stressed.
This vision was shared by Ayuso, who defended that the balance between the public and private sector is essential to sustain growth. The Madrid president insisted that public services can only be maintained with a dynamic economy and a "free, stimulated, and respected" business sector.
Europe as the stage for regulatory debate
The institutional visit included meetings with Spanish MEPs such as Raúl de la Hoz and Isabel Benjumea in the European Parliament. In these meetings, Garrido conveyed the concern of Madrid's business community about the impact of EU policies on Spanish industry. One of the key points was energy policy. The president of CEIM defended the need for a "balanced, stable, and competitive energy mix" that allows companies to operate on equal terms with other countries.
In this context, he showed his concern about the schedule for the closure of nuclear power plants in Spain, specifically mentioning the Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant. According to Garrido, decisions of this type must be analyzed not only from an environmental point of view, but also from an economic and industrial one. "Nuclear energy is cheap, safe, and clean," he stated, warning that its dismantling could affect supply and increase energy costs.
Ayuso took advantage of her speech to focus on the primary sector and the Madrid agri-food industry. She recalled that this area generates more than 200,000 jobs in the region through some 1,500 companies and represents billions of euros in exports.
The president highlighted concrete examples such as Chinchón anise or Campo Real olives, symbols of a productive fabric that combines tradition and internationalization. However, she warned of the challenges facing the sector: from the lack of generational succession to excessive bureaucracy. "Today many farmers spend more time filling out papers than on their businesses," she denounced.
The CAP and European financing
One of Ayuso's most forceful messages was her defense of a more ambitious Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The Madrid president criticized the cuts and demanded that aid be updated in line with inflation. Likewise, she asked to maintain key instruments such as the EAGF and the EAFRD, fundamental to guaranteeing the viability of rural areas. "Without sufficient funding, regions will not be able to keep rural areas alive and competitive," she warned.
Ayuso's speech in Brussels was not limited to the economic sphere. The president launched harsh criticism at the central government, denouncing what she described as a worrying institutional drift.
Among the most controversial points, she mentioned alleged cases of corruption, questioned the immigration policy, and criticized the Executive's relationship with countries like China or Iran. Ayuso warned that Spain could become a diplomatically and economically "isolated" country if it continues down that path. She also denounced an alleged "constant attack on the separation of powers" and warned about the impact of certain policies on business confidence.
Europe, between regulation and competitiveness
Both Garrido and Ayuso agreed in pointing out that the European Union finds itself at a decisive moment. On the one hand, it must maintain its social and environmental standards; on the other, it needs to prevent excessive regulation from stifling economic activity.
The Madrid president criticized proposals such as the imposition of mandatory remote work, arguing that they do not take into account the reality of countries like Spain, where the service sector and street life are fundamental. "To equalize everything is to go against reality," she maintained.
Another of the axes of her intervention was immigration policy. Ayuso criticized the regularization of people in irregular situations without sufficient controls, pointing out the impact that, in her opinion, it can have on public services.
“Law and order are essential to guarantee coexistence and real integration,” he/she affirmed.
In this regard, he announced that the Community of Madrid will appeal certain measures from the Government, considering that they generate legal uncertainty and overload the regional administrations.
Madrid as a showcase
The trip to Brussels also served to project the image of Madrid as a benchmark for liberal policies within Europe. Ayuso presented the region as an “economic engine” based on openness, attracting investment, and hosting major international events.
From sports competitions to cultural events, the president defended that Madrid has become a global pole of attraction.
Ayuso's speech incorporated a marked ideological component, with references to the defense of liberal democracies against authoritarian regimes. In this context, she announced the reception in Madrid of the Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, whom she presented as a symbol of the fight for freedom. The president linked this defense of democratic values with the European project, which she defined as a "beacon of freedom" that must not lose its essence.
A clear message from Brussels
The visit of CEIM and the Madrid government to Brussels has served to convey a double message: on the one hand, the need to review the European regulatory framework to guarantee business competitiveness; on the other, a frontal criticism of the political and economic direction of the Spanish Government.
In a context of global uncertainty, marked by the energy transition, digitalization, and geopolitical changes, the Madrid delegation has advocated for a model based on economic freedom, legal certainty, and trust in business.
The debate, however, is far from over. The tension between regulation and competitiveness will continue to be one of the main axes of European policy in the coming years, with direct implications for the future of industry, employment, and economic growth in Spain and the European Union as a whole.