Video: @salvadorilla / X
Law Passes With Broad Consensus
The Catalan Parliament approved the new law governing official chambers of commerce during its plenary session on Wednesday 7 October 2026. The vote followed years of political and social debate and marks the end of a legislative process delayed by over ten years.
The law was backed by the PSC, ERC, Junts and PP, reflecting wide cross-party consensus after extensive dialogue with social agents and the government. Vox abstained, while the Comuns and CUP voted against it, criticising aspects of the so-called "silver chairs" system.
Alignment With National Framework
The legislation updates Catalonia’s regulatory framework to align with Spain’s national chamber law of 2014. Until now, Catalonia had operated under its own autonomous law from 2002.
A formal proposal, registered in July 2025 and supported by all 13 Catalan chambers, paved the way for the current text. The final version includes provisions validated by the Consell de Garanties Estatutàries (CGE) in August 2026, which confirmed that the draft does not violate constitutional principles of equality or democratic organisation.
The reform recognises chambers as consultative, representative and collaborative bodies working alongside public administrations to defend economic interests.
New Powers and Funding
The law establishes rules for chamber operations and promotes the creation of chamber development plans to support Catalan businesses. It also introduces a progressive public funding model: €3 million in 2026, rising to €5 million in 2027 and €7 million in 2028.
Under the new framework, companies making higher voluntary financial contributions may secure reserved board positions, known as 'silver chairs', a measure challenged by the Comuns and CUP but upheld by the CGE as consistent with democratic functioning and financial sustainability.
Leadership Hails Stronger Role
Josep Santacreu, president of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the approval, thanking lawmakers from PSC, Junts, PP and ERC for their work. He stated: "Today reinforces and strengthens the role of chambers as defenders of the general economic interest and partners to public administration."
Santacreu added that the new legal framework grants chambers greater influence, transparency, efficiency and capacity for collaboration. "Catalonia must remain a land of entrepreneurs and businesspeople, and for that, chambers must be strong. We commit to making it so," he said.
Reported by Parlament de Catalunya, cronicaglobal.elespanol.com, elpais.com, lavanguardia.com, elmon.cat, eleconomista.es, parlament.cat, Departament d'Edicions del Parlament de Catalunya, es.ara.cat, cronicaglobal.cat.
