Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are set to co-chair a gathering of left-wing leaders in Barcelona on Saturday aimed at countering the rise of the far right and strengthening democratic institutions. The meeting brings together figures from across Europe, Africa and Latin America amid growing global political polarisation.
Modified: 19/04/2026 -
By: FRANCE 24
Video by: Gabrielle Nadler
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attend a press conference during the summit between Spain and Brazil in Barcelona, Spain, April 17, 2026. © Nacho Doce, Reuters
02:00
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will head a meeting of leftist leaders on Saturday in Barcelona, seeking to rally against the threat to democracy from the far right.
The gathering comes as democratic institutions and values have faced growing threats around the globe from advancing authoritarian and far-right forces in the age of US President Donald Trump.
Among those scheduled to attend the "Meeting in Defence of Democracy" are South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum and European Council chief Antonio Costa.
Both Sanchez and Lula, who are facing growing far-right challenges ahead of upcoming election campaigns, are vocal critics of the Trump administration.
But in an interview with Spanish daily newspaper El Pais ahead of the gathering, Lula stressed it is "not going to be an anti-Trump meeting".
"What we want is to talk and see if we can find a solution to strengthen the democratic process in the world, so that we don't allow any setbacks," he added during a joint news conference with Sanchez on Friday.
"Because when there is a setback, a Hitler happens."
Sanchez has said he hopes the event "will provide the basis for all progressive forces in the world to unite. Our unity will be our strength".
Hungarian inspiration
The Barcelona gathering will be held on the same day as a meeting of far-right European leaders in Milan in Italy.
It follows the defeat of Hungarian nationalist leader Viktor Orban in a general election on Sunday, seen as a setback for Europe's far-right parties that had looked to him as a model.
Progressives have hailed the result as proof that entrenched populist governments can be defeated at the ballot box.
The Barcelona event was launched by Brazil and Spain in 2024 after far-right parties made significant gains in European Parliament elections.
The first two editions of this event were held at the United Nations and the previous one was held in Chile last year.
Many of the participants will take part in the first edition of the so-called "Global Progressive Mobilisation" which will be held in the same venue.
Some 3,000 people, including current and former heads of state, mayors, union representatives and researchers from more than 40 countries are expected to take part.
The event is being held under the auspices of the Socialist International, which is headed by Sanchez.
Both Lula and Sanchez will address this gathering, which will feature talks on issues such as income inequality, the green transition and how progressives can improve their election results.
Sanchez, in power since 2018, has emerged as a prominent figure for Europe's disillusioned progressives, who see him as one of the few remaining openly leftist voices in a continent increasingly dominated by right-wing politics.
His vigorous criticism of Israel, championing of immigration and staunch opposition to the US-Israeli war on Iran have bolstered his image as a left-wing hero.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
02:00
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will head a meeting of leftist leaders on Saturday in Barcelona, seeking to rally against the threat to democracy from the far right.
The gathering comes as democratic institutions and values have faced growing threats around the globe from advancing authoritarian and far-right forces in the age of US President Donald Trump.
Among those scheduled to attend the "Meeting in Defence of Democracy" are South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum and European Council chief Antonio Costa.
Both Sanchez and Lula, who are facing growing far-right challenges ahead of upcoming election campaigns, are vocal critics of the Trump administration.
But in an interview with Spanish daily newspaper El Pais ahead of the gathering, Lula stressed it is "not going to be an anti-Trump meeting".
"What we want is to talk and see if we can find a solution to strengthen the democratic process in the world, so that we don't allow any setbacks," he added during a joint news conference with Sanchez on Friday.
"Because when there is a setback, a Hitler happens."
Sanchez has said he hopes the event "will provide the basis for all progressive forces in the world to unite. Our unity will be our strength".
Hungarian inspiration
The Barcelona gathering will be held on the same day as a meeting of far-right European leaders in Milan in Italy.
It follows the defeat of Hungarian nationalist leader Viktor Orban in a general election on Sunday, seen as a setback for Europe's far-right parties that had looked to him as a model.
Progressives have hailed the result as proof that entrenched populist governments can be defeated at the ballot box.
The Barcelona event was launched by Brazil and Spain in 2024 after far-right parties made significant gains in European Parliament elections.
The first two editions of this event were held at the United Nations and the previous one was held in Chile last year.
Many of the participants will take part in the first edition of the so-called "Global Progressive Mobilisation" which will be held in the same venue.
Some 3,000 people, including current and former heads of state, mayors, union representatives and researchers from more than 40 countries are expected to take part.
The event is being held under the auspices of the Socialist International, which is headed by Sanchez.
Both Lula and Sanchez will address this gathering, which will feature talks on issues such as income inequality, the green transition and how progressives can improve their election results.
Sanchez, in power since 2018, has emerged as a prominent figure for Europe's disillusioned progressives, who see him as one of the few remaining openly leftist voices in a continent increasingly dominated by right-wing politics.
His vigorous criticism of Israel, championing of immigration and staunch opposition to the US-Israeli war on Iran have bolstered his image as a left-wing hero.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Socialist Leader García Urges ‘Iron Hand’ On Trump
April 19, 2026
By EurActiv
By Inés Fernández-Pontes
(EurActiv) — Socialist leader Iratxe García has accused the European Parliament’s centre-right of hypocrisy, while urging European progressives to take an ” iron hand” against Donald Trump and far-right forces.
The remarks come as socialist leaders seek to regain momentum and reassert their influence, using this weekend’s Global Progressive Congress in Barcelona – promoted by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez – to rally progressive forces across Europe.
“The centre-right cannot ask social democracy to guarantee political stability whilst negotiating day-to-day policies with the far right,” she said at the summit, pointing to cooperation on climate and migration as examples.
The EPP group should “decide and choose” whether it wants to continue working with pro-European forces or “open the door to an alliance with the far right”.
García framed the moment as a broader ideological battle, warning that far-right movements in Europe and their allies share “a clear objective… to destroy Europe”.
She also took aim at Washington, arguing that Europe must adopt a tougher stance towards US President Donald Trump.
“The strategy of appeasement and silence is not the way forward… Trump only understands the language of power,” García said, calling on Europe to respond with an “iron hand”.
She reiterated that transatlantic relations remain “fundamental” but must be “based on mutual respect”.
“That’s why it is important to speak out when Trump and populism across Europe are attempting to destroy the European project.”
Socialist leaders have described the Barcelona summit, promoted by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, as a “historic gathering” aimed at uniting progressive forces around a shared democratic agenda.
“Parties are thinking machines – they need to make tangible proposals. Such a pedagogical event fosters an environment to think together and move forward,” former EU diplomatic chief Josep Borrell told Euractiv on the sidelines of the event.
By EurActiv
By Inés Fernández-Pontes
(EurActiv) — Socialist leader Iratxe García has accused the European Parliament’s centre-right of hypocrisy, while urging European progressives to take an ” iron hand” against Donald Trump and far-right forces.
The remarks come as socialist leaders seek to regain momentum and reassert their influence, using this weekend’s Global Progressive Congress in Barcelona – promoted by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez – to rally progressive forces across Europe.
“The centre-right cannot ask social democracy to guarantee political stability whilst negotiating day-to-day policies with the far right,” she said at the summit, pointing to cooperation on climate and migration as examples.
The EPP group should “decide and choose” whether it wants to continue working with pro-European forces or “open the door to an alliance with the far right”.
García framed the moment as a broader ideological battle, warning that far-right movements in Europe and their allies share “a clear objective… to destroy Europe”.
She also took aim at Washington, arguing that Europe must adopt a tougher stance towards US President Donald Trump.
“The strategy of appeasement and silence is not the way forward… Trump only understands the language of power,” García said, calling on Europe to respond with an “iron hand”.
She reiterated that transatlantic relations remain “fundamental” but must be “based on mutual respect”.
“That’s why it is important to speak out when Trump and populism across Europe are attempting to destroy the European project.”
Socialist leaders have described the Barcelona summit, promoted by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, as a “historic gathering” aimed at uniting progressive forces around a shared democratic agenda.
“Parties are thinking machines – they need to make tangible proposals. Such a pedagogical event fosters an environment to think together and move forward,” former EU diplomatic chief Josep Borrell told Euractiv on the sidelines of the event.
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