Spain's government names new competition watchdog chief, bypassing opposition and sparking political row

The appointment

The Council of Ministers, on a proposal from Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo, approved on Tuesday the nomination of Juan José Ganuza Fernández as president of the National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC). He replaces Cani Fernández, whose mandate expired on 16 June. Three new council members were also proposed: Carmen Balsa, Marina Echebarría Sáenz and Joan Capdevila. All will serve six-year terms without possibility of reelection, a design intended to insulate the regulator from the political cycle. The candidates must first appear before the Congress Economic Commission for a suitability review before formal appointment by royal decree.

Political reaction

The main opposition People's Party (PP) immediately denounced the lack of prior consultation. Alberto Nadal, the party's economy spokesman, said the government had limited itself to informing them minutes before the announcement.

“They limited themselves to informing us minutes before. Then they wonder why people doubt the CNMC's independence.”

The appointments leave the PP without any representation on the council, breaking with the traditional practice of cross-party agreement for regulatory bodies. The government instead drew candidates from its own ranks and from parliamentary allies Sumar and Esquerra Republicana.

Who is Juan José Ganuza

Ganuza, born in 1968, holds a degree in physics from the Complutense University of Madrid and a doctorate in economics from Carlos III University. He is a professor of economics and business at Pompeu Fabra University and has directed the master's programme in competition and market regulation at the Barcelona School of Economics for a decade. Since 2014 he has headed the competition and regulation division at the Funcas think tank. His academic profile contrasts with that of his predecessor; he has previously criticised the idea that a single body can effectively oversee competition, energy, telecoms and transport simultaneously.

The other council members

Carmen Balsa, a state commercial technician and former chief of staff to ex-economy minister Nadia Calviño, was proposed by the Socialist Party. Marina Echebarría, a professor of commercial law at the University of Valladolid and a former Sumar candidate in Castile and León, was highlighted by the Economy Ministry for her activism.

“She has a distinguished career as an activist for LGTBI rights.”

Joan Capdevila, a veterinarian and former ERC deputy who served as the Catalan government's delegate in Madrid until September 2025, completes the slate.

Institutional concerns

The renewal comes at a sensitive moment for Spain's institutional credibility. The government is under pressure from judicial investigations affecting the prime minister's circle, and the ABC newspaper editorialised that the appointments risk further eroding the appearance of neutrality. The CNMC oversees mergers, regulated sectors and decisions involving billions of euros, making its independence a prerequisite for legitimacy. The PP's Nadal warned that the manner of the appointments would only deepen doubts about the body's autonomy.