PES adopts ‘Standing up for Europe’ declaration: Trump will not divide Europe

Following today's meeting of the PES Presidency in Brussels, the Party of European Socialists adopted the 'Standing up for Europe' declaration in direct response to the 2025 United States National Security Strategy (NSS) presented by the Trump administration, which openly attacks the European Union, questions its unity and portrays Europe as weak and divided. The declaration sets out a clear commitment to defend Europe's sovereignty, democratic integrity, and values in an increasingly unstable geopolitical context, while reaffirming the PES's determination to drive a renewed progressive mobilisation in Europe and beyond.

The declaration makes clear that Europe is not weak, nor divided, and firmly rejects attempts to undermine the EU's political autonomy or to interfere in its democratic choices. It sets out a clear progressive stance: Europe's partnerships, including the transatlantic relationship, must be based on mutual respect, non-interference, and international law. Europe will not compromise its social model, regulatory standards, or democratic institutions in the face of external pressure, intimidation or disinformation.

PES President Stefan Löfven underlined the political significance of the declaration:

"Standing up for Europe means standing up for our democracy, our sovereignty, and our values. Partnerships matter, but they can never come at the expense of Europe's political integrity or democratic choices. Europe's future must be shaped by Europeans - and this vision is fundamentally incompatible with attempts by the Trump administration to weaken, divide or dictate Europe's path. This declaration is about leadership and responsibility: having the courage to defend our values, strengthen our capacity to act, and mobilise progressives across Europe and beyond."

The declaration further stresses the need to protect Europe's information space, resist foreign interference, and defend the EU's legal and regulatory framework as a cornerstone of democratic resilience and social fairness.

The full PES Presidency Declaration 'Standing up for Europe' is available here.

In line with the principles set out in the declaration, the PES Presidency welcomed the success of the PES mission to Ukraine, including the first EU-Ukraine Progressive High-Level Conference in Kyiv, which reinforced progressives' shared commitment to an immediate ceasefire, accountability for war crimes, and continued EU political, military, and humanitarian support to Ukraine.

Building on this political clarity, the PES Presidency reaffirmed the momentum generated by the recent PES Congress and agreed that the next phase must focus on strengthening Global Progressive Mobilisation - translating shared values into coordinated political action with citizens, civil society, and progressive partners worldwide. As part of this effort, the PES will convene a major Global Progressive Mobilisation event in Spain in 2026, bringing together progressive forces to reinforce international cooperation and collective action. This renewed mobilisation will focus on delivering concrete solutions for people - from tackling international inequality and defending democracy to advancing climate action and peace - as part of a progressive vision for Europe's future.

As part of this people-centred agenda, the PES Presidency also welcomed this week's presentation of the first-ever European Affordable Housing Plan by EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen, marking a major step forward in addressing the housing crisis affecting millions across Europe and demonstrating that progressives are delivering concrete solutions on affordable housing in the European Union.

The PES Presidency also addressed the situation in Belarus, welcoming the release of political prisoners as a positive step, while strongly condemning the instrumentalisation of their freedom.

PES Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck stressed that Europe must remain firm in defending democratic values:

"The release of political prisoners is a positive step, but freedom must never be used as a bargaining chip. We continue to call on President Lukashenko to release all remaining political prisoners. The voices in Belarus, such as Mikola Statkevich, leader of the People's Hramada Party, demanding democracy, dignity, and fundamental freedoms must be heard."

In particular, the PES Presidency addressed the situation in Serbia and Türkiye, where democratic backsliding is intensifying amid growing repression. In Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić is continuing to weaken institutions and pressuring independent media and political opposition. In Türkiye, ongoing arbitrary arrests led by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan are systematically eroding political pluralism, fueling attacks on civil society, and curtailing fundamental freedoms.

These discussions took place in a challenging political context in Brussels, marked by the European People's Party breaking the democratic firewall by cooperating with the far right in the European Parliament, and by growing concerns about the weakening of climate, environmental, and social safeguards.

Looking ahead, the PES Presidency also announced the creation of two new PES Working Groups to strengthen policy coordination and political leadership within the progressive family. A Working Group on Artificial Intelligence will be coordinated by Katarina Barley, focusing on ensuring that Europe's digital transition is human-centred, democratic and fair. A second Working Group on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) will be coordinated by Victor Negrescu, with the objective of shaping a progressive vision for the EU budget that delivers for people, supports social Europe, cohesion and underpins Europe's strategic priorities.

The PES Presidency also expressed its appreciation for the work of Maria João Rodrigues during her years as President of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), recognising her decisive contribution to strengthening progressive thought leadership, policy innovation and intellectual debate across Europe. The PES Presidency welcomed Nicolas Schmit as the new President of FEPS and expressed full confidence in his leadership to further reinforce FEPS's role as a cornerstone of the progressive family and a driver of forward-looking policy ideas for Europe's future.

Photos from today's PES Presidency meeting in Brussels can be found here.