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Absenteeism Tops Risks as King Opens Spain’s Family Business Congress in Burgos

Executives report slightly improved economic sentiment in this year’s interactive poll.

Overview

  • The XXVIII National Congress of Family Business opened in Burgos by King Felipe VI, drawing about 600 business and institutional attendees.
  • The IEF’s live poll put Spain’s economic climate at 5.66 out of 9 and, for the first time, ranked workplace absenteeism as the top risk.
  • A majority expect higher sales in 2026 (61%), with 52% planning to add staff and 39% keeping employment steady.
  • Industry minister Jordi Hereu and opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo praised family firms; Feijóo vowed to scrap three rules for every new one, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez did not attend.
  • Family-owned companies account for roughly 70% of Spain’s jobs and 60% of GDP, and this year’s program features Turkey as invited country and an address by EIB president Nadia Calviño.