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Global Leftist Leaders Gather in Spain to Mobilise Against Far Right
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 17, 2026
3 min readLast updated: April 17, 2026
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Global left leaders—including Spain’s Pedro Sánchez and Brazil’s Lula da Silva—gather in Barcelona April 17–18 for the inaugural Global Progressive Mobilisation to defend multilateralism, counter far‑right advances, and issue a joint declaration on democracy and the green transition. The summit foll
Global Leftist Leaders Gather in Barcelona to Defend Democracy and Counter Far Right Movements
International Progressive Summits Respond to Far-Right Surge
By Victoria Waldersee and Joan Faus
Key Figures and Objectives of the Gatherings
BARCELONA, April 17 (Reuters) - Spain's Pedro Sanchez and Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will spearhead gatherings of the global left in Barcelona on Friday and Saturday, in a bid to defend multilateralism and mobilise left-wing movements against the far right.
The meetings, organised by Spain and left-wing political networks, come as U.S. President Donald Trump's swift cuts to humanitarian aid, military interventions and threats to abandon NATO have shaken the status quo of international relations and prompted a rethink of global allegiances.
Mobilising the Left: The "Global Progressive Mobilisation"
Borne out of a wake-up call for European socialists after the far-right surge in EU elections in 2024, the aim of the so-called "Global Progressive Mobilisation" starting on Friday is to mobilise advocates of left-wing ideas, culminating in a declaration of common actions on goals from defending democracy to the green transition, organisers said.
Defending Democracy: The Saturday Summit
A second gathering on Saturday - entitled "In defence of democracy" - is organised by the Spanish government and is the fourth instalment of a summit launched by Lula and Sanchez in 2024.
Political Context and International Participation
Challenges from the Far Right
'SHOW THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE'
Both leaders are vocal critics of the Trump administration - with Sanchez having been particularly outspoken over the Iran war - and both face growing far-right challenges in upcoming election races.
Global Attendees and Diplomatic Significance
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has also clashed with Trump, will attend, as will Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum, marking the first visit to Spain by a Mexican president since 2018 after years of tension over the legacy of Spanish colonial rule.
"I think it's important that progressive parties and governments unite to convey to the public, especially in Spain, that we belong to something that goes beyond domestic politics," Sanchez said of the gatherings, speaking in Beijing during a visit to China where he and President Xi Jinping pledged closer ties.
Recent Developments in European Politics
Europe's far right lost one of its biggest champions with the defeat of Hungary's nationalist leader Viktor Orban in Sunday's election. Sanchez has hailed that, saying "the wave can be stopped, and Hungary proves it".
Event Details and Closing Remarks
Scale of the Gatherings
In the other event, 3,000 people including current and former heads of state, around 400 mayors, unions, activists, and political parties will gather for two days hosted by Spain's Socialist Party. Sanchez and Lula will close the event.
Statements from Organisers
"Radical forces are at play in our countries to sponsor extreme right-wing movements ... we have to show there is an alternative," said Giacomo Filibeck, Secretary-General of the Party of European Socialists, whose membership spans 33 parties across Europe.
(Reporting by Victoria Waldersee, Paolo Laudani and Joan Faus; Editing by Alison Williams)
Key Takeaways
- •The Global Progressive Mobilisation (GPM), hosted in Barcelona April 17–18, 2026, brings together progressive heads of state, including Sánchez, Lula, Ramaphosa, Sheinbaum, Gustavo Petro and others, under the banner of defending democracy and multilateralism. (globalprogressivemobilisation.org)
- •The summit is a response to disruptions in international norms triggered by Trump’s policies and a far‑right surge in Europe, notably Orbán’s 16‑year rule in Hungary—which was decisively ended in the April 12 election. (catalannews.com)
- •The Barcelona events aim to galvanize progressive actors globally, culminating in a declaration outlining shared actions to uphold democracy, human rights and ecological transition. It follows the GPM’s launch by Sánchez and Lula in Amsterdam, under the aegis of Socialist International and PES. (globalprogressivemobilisation.org)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Global leftist leaders gather in Spain to mobilise against far right
1Who are the main leaders attending the Barcelona gathering?
Spain's Pedro Sanchez and Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are leading the event, joined by leaders like South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa and Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum.
2What is the goal of the Global Progressive Mobilisation event?
The aim is to unite left-wing advocates to defend democracy, promote multilateralism, and counter the rise of the far right.
3Why is the Barcelona summit significant?
It reflects a global effort by leftist leaders to oppose far-right gains in elections and to present a united alternative.
4What actions are expected at the gathering?
The meetings will culminate in a declaration of common actions on democracy, green transition, and solidarity among progressive movements.
5Which countries are represented at the summit?
Representatives from Spain, Brazil, South Africa, and Mexico, among others, are attending the summit.
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