The Guild of Editors of Catalonia (Gremi d’Editors de Catalunya) is preparing for a landmark moment in its history. For the first time since its inception, the organisation will hold a contested election for its leadership. This breaks a long-standing tradition where the presidency was determined by a single consensus candidacy.
On 19 February, the general assembly will vote to elect a new board of directors. Members will choose between two distinct competing lists. This marks a significant shift for the institution, which represents a vital sector of the publishing industry in both the Catalan and Spanish languages.
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The establishment slate for the Guild of Editors of Catalonia
The first list is led by Daniel Fernández, the publisher of Edhasa and current president of the Federation of Guilds of Publishers of Spain. His candidacy positions itself as a unifying force, claiming to represent the breadth of the sector.
“Ours is a global and very non-personalist candidacy that includes renewal, as people from new generations are also joining us,” Fernández stated. “We respond to what the Guild has always responded to, which is to bring together the large, the small, the medium-sized, [and] publishers in Catalan and in Spanish.”
Fernández’s ticket commands significant institutional weight. It boasts support from publishing giants Planeta and Random House. In addition, it includes respected literary imprints such as Anagrama, Libros del Asteroide, and Flamboyant.
Notably, the current president, Patrici Tixis, supports this list. Tixis is stepping down after more than 11 years at the helm. However, he will remain involved in the organisation by running as the first vice-president on Fernández’s slate.
The challenger slate in the Guild of Editors of Catalonia election
The competing proposal is led by Román de Vicente, head of Urano. His campaign emphasises democratic renewal and the inclusion of voices previously unconnected to the Guild’s leadership structures.
“Our will is to give the Guild an even more democratic sense,” de Vicente explained. “89% of our list are new companies that had never been linked and that want to propose new ideas.”
De Vicente is backed by a coalition of companies including Panini, Galaxia Gutenberg, PAMSA, Trotalibros, and Fragmenta.
The unprecedented nature of this dual candidacy signals a vibrant, albeit divided, moment for the Guild. Therefore, it seeks to navigate the future challenges of the publishing market.
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