PES anchors historic global mobilisation uniting progressives worldwide

At a moment of profound global disruption, with democracy under pressure and inequalities deepening across societies, the Global Progressive Mobilisation (GPM), held on 17-18 April 2026 in Barcelona, brought together progressive leaders, organisations and citizens from across the world to advance a shared response rooted in equality, solidarity and democratic resilience - with the Party of European Socialists (PES) playing a central role in shaping and convening this collective effort.

The initiative, first envisioned two years ago by PES President Stefan Löfven and Pedro Sánchez, Secretary General of the PSOE, and supported by international progressive leaders such as Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has now materialised into a historic global gathering of progressive forces.

During his intervention at the GPM, PES President Stefan Löfven set the political direction with a strong call for unity:

"We raise a fundamental issue: equality - between nations, between cultures, between people, regardless of background, ethnicity and gender. As progressives, this is the foundation of everything we do. This is what binds us together. And to those who seek to divide us: No pasarán. You will not divide us. We will prevail."

This shared commitment translated into the adoption of a joint declaration - Call for a Global Progressive Mobilisation - agreed by progressive forces from across continents, setting out a common roadmap to defend democracy, strengthen multilateralism and deliver social and economic progress.

The mobilisation was co-hosted with the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), with Pedro Sánchez playing a central role in convening the event and shaping its political direction. Closing the mobilisation, he delivered a strong message:

"Do not be fooled. The far right and the right are not shouting because they are winning; they are shouting because they know their time is running out."

The President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, also delivered a powerful call to action:

"We cannot be afraid to speak loudly and responsibly. Democracy is not a destination - it is a daily construction. We must go beyond votes and deliver real improvements in people's lives."

Reflecting the scale and significance of this moment, PES Secretary General Giacomo Filibeck stated:

"This is a historic moment. The unity of progressive forces across continents is the only way to foster democracy, preserve peace and promote human dignity."

Over two days in Barcelona, the mobilisation gathered around 400 delegations from 75 countries across all five continents. More than 3,000 participants attended on the first day, while close to 7,000 took part on the second day - including 6,500 people in the final plenary session alone.

Across nearly 80 panels, political leaders, policymakers, academics, trade unionists and civil society representatives worked together to address the defining challenges of our time - from strengthening democratic resilience and tackling inequality, to advancing a fair green transition, shaping digital transformation and promoting peace.

Global leaders included Cyril Ramaphosa, Mia Mottley, Tim Walz, Magdalena Andersson, Elly Schlein, Neera Tanden, Chris Murphy, andAlicia Bárcena, as well as Iratxe García and Teresa Ribera, alongsideAndreas Babler, Olivier Faure, Jesse Klaver, Antti Lindtman, andPaul Magnette, reflecting the breadth and global reach of the progressive movement.

Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota, warned of the risks posed by growing authoritarian tendencies, stressing the need to defend democratic institutions and freedoms:

"Back home in the United States, we're seeing an alarming consolidation of power - a systematic weakening of the free press, the independent judiciary and fair elections. We need to call that what it is: fascism. And the truth is, it's not just confined to the United States - it's everywhere."

Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley underlined the importance of delivery in sustaining democracy:

"Democracy works when it delivers for people. (…) If we are serious about defending democracy, then we must also be serious about delivering for people. Because democracy cannot survive where there is despair, where there is inequality, and where people feel that the system no longer works for them."

Leader of Italy's Democratic Party Elly Schlein stressed the need for unity in the face of rising extremism:

"Progressives from all over the world share a common vision to improve people's lives. Together is better than alone. Together is better than divided. And together is definitely better than being against each other."

Meanwhile, Sweden's former Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party highlighted the urgency of the moment:

"This mobilisation comes at exactly the right moment. (…) As progressives, we have to find an answer to what comes next. That is our responsibility to the millions of people across the world who trust us to build a better future for all."

The mobilisation also featured video messages from Bernie Sanders, and Zohran Mamdani, further underlining the international political significance of the initiative.

Co-organised by PES together with key progressive partners - including the Socialist International, the Progressive Alliance, the S&D Group in the European Parliament and FEPS - the Global Progressive Mobilisation marked a milestone in building a stronger, more coordinated international progressive movement.

The declaration, "Call for a Global Progressive Mobilisation," is available here.

Photos from the event are available here.