PES at the Global Progress Action Summit: We call for a democracy that protects and empowers

The Party of European Socialists (PES) participated in the Global Progress Action (GPA) Summit in London on 25-26 September, a significant gathering of progressive leaders and thinkers dedicated to delivering security and trust in volatile times.
PES President Stefan Löfven underlined the importance of trust, delivery, and broad security. Stefan Löfven joined the public panel "Renewing the Social Contract: Shaping a National Identity Built on Trust," moderated by Patrick Gaspard, alongside Anas Sarwar, Raphaël Glucksmann, Pedro Abramovay and Charlyne Brumskine. The discussion centred on rebuilding democratic trust, countering polarisation, and linking cultural confidence to economic and social security.

During his intervention, PES President Stefan Löfven stated:

"As democrats, we must never forget this responsibility: to keep politics non-violent, to safeguard the rule of law and free debate, and to deliver the everyday security that makes democracy real in people's lives. Because democracy itself is the framework that allows people to debate, to exchange, to cooperate, and, yes, also to disagree, but always peacefully. By definition, democracy is the opposite of political violence. It provides us with the security to truly fulfil our social contract.

Real security means economic stability, quality public services, and the freedom to plan one's life, not just hard power. When citizens feel safe in this broader sense, trust in institutions grows; without that sense of control, fear and division take hold. That is why we have paired delivery at home with a renewed narrative for international cooperation, because turning inward would not protect our people from shared challenges like climate, migration, and technological change."

Throughout the summit, Stefan Löfven met with several progressive leaders, including Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, and Iceland's Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir. They emphasised how progressives continue to work together and will continue to do so to ensure that democracy protects and empowers people in their everyday lives.

PES Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck underscored the significance of unity, resilience, and Europe's leadership in support of Ukraine. Giacomo Filibeck spoke during the session "Transforming Geopolitics in an Autocratic World," in the segment "Defending Transatlantic Security Interests." The discussion examined responses to Russia's aggression against Ukraine from both sides of the Atlantic and the importance of strengthening the democratic alliances.

Addressing the session, PES Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck noted:

"As democrats, we must never forget this responsibility: to keep politics non-violent, to safeguard the rule of law and free debate, and to deliver the everyday security that makes democracy real in people's lives. Because democracy itself is the framework that allows people to debate, to exchange, to cooperate, and, yes, also to disagree, but always peacefully. By definition, democracy is the opposite of political violence. It provides us with the security to truly fulfil our social contract."

PES Vice-President Kati Piri participated in the panel "Foreign Policy and International Cooperation." Speaking on the panel, she said:

"In the current geopolitical context, we have to stand against authoritarian regimes and stand up for our values, whether dealing with Vladimir Putin or Donald Trump. We cannot have double standards. We cannot spend more on gas coming from Russia than we invest in supporting Ukraine. And we cannot accept trade deals that fail our people, neither European nor American citizens."

Over two days, the GPA Summit brought together leading policymakers, academics, and civil society figures from nearly 40 countries, with sessions on democratic alliances, authoritarian influence and renewing the social contract. Since 2009, the initiative has served as a space for innovative thinking, addressing the world's most pressing challenges through international collaboration.

The PES family was strongly represented at the London summit, including Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez (PSOE); UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer (UK Labour Party); Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir; Magdalena Andersson (Leader of Socialdemokraterna, Sweden); Jacinda Ardern, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand; Elly Schlein (Leader of Partito Democratico, Italy); and Kati Piri (GroenLinks-PvdA, The Netherlands), among others.

This gathering also offered an opportunity for our PES family to meet in a different setting and to prepare for our upcoming Congress (16-18 October, Amsterdam). The PES Congress - Progressive Mobilisation in Europe and Beyond - will bring together prime ministers, mayors, politicians, journalists and authors, activists, artists, academics, trade unionists, and entrepreneurs from across Europe and beyond - people with something to say and something to change.More information on the next PES Congress is available here: https://events.pes.eu/