ALERT: Sánchez and Lula co-chair a progressive summit in Barcelona against the advance of the extreme right
Sources confirm that the following story has emerged from the international scene.
Sánchez and Lula will lead a meeting of progressive leaders with the aim of confronting what they consider a threat to democracy from authoritarian and far-right forces, at a time marked by the leadership of US President Donald Trump. Planned attendees include South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and European Council President António Costa. Both Sánchez and Lula, who face growing challenges from the far right ahead of future elections, have been outspoken critics of the Trump administration. However, in an interview with the Spanish newspaper El País, Lula stressed that “this is not an anti-Trump meeting.” “What we want is to dialogue and see if we can find a solution to strengthen the democratic process in the world, to not allow setbacks,” he said in a joint press conference with Sánchez. “Because when there is a setback, something like Hitler happens.” For his part, Sánchez expressed his hope that the meeting “serves as a basis for all the progressive forces in the world to unite. Our unity will be our strength.” Report from Barcelona: Sánchez signs 15 agreements with Lula in a meeting described as “historic” To display this YouTube content, you must authorize audience measurement and advertising cookies. Accept Manage my options An extension in your browser appears to be blocking the video player from loading. In order to view this content, you must disable it on this site. Try again © France 24 Hungarian inspiration The meeting in Barcelona coincides with another meeting of European far-right leaders in Milan, Italy. It also comes after the defeat of Hungarian nationalist leader Viktor Orbán in Sunday’s general election, considered a setback for the European far right that saw him as a model. Progressive sectors have celebrated this result as proof that consolidated populist governments can be defeated at the polls. The Barcelona event was promoted by Brazil and Spain in 2024 after the significant advances of the far right in the elections to the European Parliament. The first two editions were held at the United Nations and the previous one took place in Chile last year. Many of the participants will also be part of the first edition of the so-called “Global Progressive Mobilization”, which will be held in the same place. Read alsoProgressive leaders unite in Barcelona to “protect” democracy About 3,000 people are expected to participate, including current and former heads of state, mayors, union representatives and researchers from more than 40 countries. The event is held under the auspices of the Socialist International, chaired by Sánchez. Both Lula and Sánchez will speak at the meeting, which will address issues such as income inequality, the ecological transition and strategies to improve the electoral results of progressive forces. Sánchez, in power since 2018, has established himself as a leading figure for European progressives, who see him as one of the few openly left-wing voices in a continent increasingly dominated by the right. His criticism of Israel, his defense of immigration and his firm opposition to the war between the United States and Israel against Iran have reinforced his image as a reference for the left. This article is an adaptation of its original in English
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Source: This article was originally published in another language by France 24 – Noticias y actualidad internacional en vivo and has been translated and adapted for our global English-speaking audience. Read the original article here.