Sánchez takes the reins of the BBVA-Sabadell takeover bid with an unprecedented public consultation.

The consultation announced by the Prime Minister is launching today. The Ministry of Economy will publish a series of questions about the takeover bid on its website for citizens, bank customers, employers' associations, and associations to provide their views. In addition to answering the questions posed, interested parties will be able to send the Government observations or comments on the impact of the operation. This will allow the government to put into writing the rejection of the operation expressed by political parties, employers' associations, unions, and minority shareholders. Some of them have harshly criticized the CNMC's failure to allow them to submit objections. UGT and Foment have even filed a complaint on the matter with the National Court, which is admissible.

The Ministry of Economy wanted to clarify yesterday that the consultation will focus on "aspects that may affect the general interest" and that the objective is "to obtain an additional layer of information, in this case with a focus on the general interest." The contributions gathered in the public consultation are secret and non-binding, "but they will be useful in decision-making regarding the operation," the department stated. It is not yet clear how long the form will be available, although some sources suggest it could be extended until next Monday. The procedure, the Ministry also clarified, "is in line with regulations and is standard in regulatory procedures, although this is the first time it has been used in hostile takeover bids."

Catalan businesspeople, academics, and executives filled the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya yesterday, the venue for the second consecutive year of the annual meeting of the Cercle d'Economia (Economic Circle), to hear the President of the Government, accompanied by the President of the Generalitat (Catalan Government), Salvador Illa, the Minister of Industry, Jordi Hereu, and the Mayor of Barcelona, ​​Jaume Collboni, among other authorities. Following the introduction by the president of the Cercle, Jaume Guardiola, the President of the Government took advantage of his speech to call on the parliamentary groups to support the validation of the tariff crisis response plan, which will be debated in Congress this Thursday.

Sánchez also referred to the reduction in working hours, which the Council of Ministers will approve today. He urged the Spanish and Catalan employers' associations, which have clearly opposed this initiative, to "not refuse" to accept this initiative. It is a "social demand that will contribute to improving the productivity and stability of the workforce and, therefore, making our companies better," the president argued. He believes the European economy must "maintain its global influence by investing in human capital and innovation, not in low prices and grueling working hours."

A week after the blackout that left all of Spain and Portugal in the dark for hours, Sánchez reiterated the government's commitment to "clarify the causes of the incident as soon as possible, but with all the necessary caution and rigor." "We will see it through to the end," he emphasized, also reaffirming his commitment to continuing to advance the energy transition. He also thanked the public for their "example of civility and solidarity" during the incident.

The president also announced the allocation of €53 million in aid for the development of advanced technological systems and semiconductors within the framework of the second Perte Chip project, which is expected to mobilize more than €100 million in public-private investment. Of these €53 million, almost a third (€16 million) will be allocated to Catalonia.