The businessman and professor of Economy and Public Finance, José Luis Bonet (Barcelona, ​​1941) has presided over the Spanish Chamber since 2014 after being re-elected in December 2018. He is in good health in a telephone conversation with EL MUNDO.

To what extent will the coronavirus crisis harm the economy? The situation is very serious and it is far from over. In the health field, the performance of the staff is being heroic and is already on the edge. In the economic sphere, he has begun to show his teeth. The problem is not only job destruction. There may also be closure of companies and of the productive fabric and sectors that have crude oil. It is one of the most delicate moments we have experienced and it can have political and social consequences. The critical thing now is companies and we must not lose sight of that. Society as a whole has done very well with the social market economy that we have. If anyone thinks that the solution is to overload the system, they are very wrong. Are they then concerned about government measures that aim at interventionism and questioning companies? Of course, and ideological confrontations are beginning to be seen in the government, which is the least indicated at this time. The key is first in the private sector and in public-private collaboration, later. The solution is in our system and if someone wants to dedicate himself to nationalizing, let him be seen. The government must be criticized in this, because it is a moment of absolute unity of action. Is this division hindering government action? We are in a critical situation, at the crossroads of being or not being, and the government started well by talking about unity and seeking consensus, but there have been times when it has not followed through. It's a mistake. There must be adequate dialogue and no confrontation, and even less within the Government. There are people like Nadia Calviño or Reyes Maroto who are defending the company and the system, and other ministers who don't seem to. What is this! Trust is absolutely necessary. Any inconsistent policy destroys trust. It is the moment that those who want to destroy the system have to be separated. But it is difficult to try a government of national concentration with PP and Citizens, right? I understand little about politics, but it is time to go all to one and if not, a bad matter. The Minister of Labor says that in the system companies put self-interest first and abuse, for example, dismissals ... That is bullshit . The employer is not to fire. He is with his workers and what he does not want is to kick them out. But if you don't have to pay the payroll, what will you do? I do not deny that there is some picaresque and that you have to do self-criticism in the company, but the vast majority of employers are with their workers. Establishing suspicions about entrepreneurship at this time is a sin against the homeland. I am with Calviño and Maroto who are sensible people. What do you think of the government's measures? After a lot of hesitation, on the 14th, he went out to declare a state of alarm. I remember very well that Pedro Sánchez said that there would be all the liquidity that is necessary and when it is necessary. That and that we will not leave anyone behind. He followed up well by talking about $ 100 billion. But then plans have been seen to limp. In what sense? There is no tax suspension. When entrepreneurs lose income, if they have reserves they can hold on as best they can and if not, they have to close. There is no point in collecting taxes now. Calviño affirms that it is necessary to sustain public spending ... It is not consistent. Liquidity is needed. Other countries have made very complete tax suspensions. And what do you think about the granting of State guarantees? Well in the approach, but then the Government began to detune the execution. It is suddenly said that a first tranche of 20,000 million will be made and that does not make sense. If you say 100,000 there are 100,000 and as soon as possible. So I say that the rhetoric had been good, but the execution was not up to it. That causes people who are hopeful to lose heart and it is the worst that can happen. The spirit of the entrepreneur and the self-employed is vital, because it is the key piece of the system. How slow will the recovery be? The recovery will come and this will diminish but with a cautious and very difficult recovery. That is why it is very important that businessmen are in the mood to make it vee or ele. We will have to roll up our sleeves and think about how the reconstruction is done. Will we have to park the government's economic program with tax increases or the repeal of labor reform? If anyone thinks that this is going to be a continuation of the above, they are wrong. The needs are going to be very different. Raising taxes would be the most inconsistent thing to think about. You have to rethink everything. I have heard the government talk about the Moncloa Pacts and it is what must be done for immediate recovery with a Marshall Plan. What Sánchez has done well is planting himself in the EU. What about business hibernation? I support rational confinement. Essential services is more than meets the eye.

"The independence movement does not make sense and even less now"

José Luis Bonet is still the honorary president of Freixenet and has personally and business suffered the effects of independence in the Catalan economy. He believes that the coronavirus crisis forces the independentistas not to aggravate the situation with their demands. "In itself the independence movement does not make sense and even less now. In moments of tranquility, you can afford what you want, but in times like those we are going through, don't get lost or distracted. Now you can't play with people. He hopes that it is not repeated that crises are often a breeding ground for nationalism, as happened in 2012. «Whoever tries it will be a fool. It is time to go together more than ever. Going to the confrontation is not realizing what the situation is ».

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  • Nadia Calviño
  • Yolanda Diaz
  • Reyes Maroto
  • We can
  • Pedro Sánchez
  • PP
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  • Spain
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