‘This is the moment for action,’ say progressive politicians at their congress in Barcelona

Barcelona, a city governed by socialists, served as the fitting backdrop for the Global Progressive Mobilisation, a significant international gathering aimed at galvanizing progressive forces worldwide. The conference, attended by politicians, academics, and union leaders from over a hundred nations, sought to present a united front against what Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described as the "shouting" of the radical right.

“

Radicaal-rechts schreeuwt zo hard tegen ons dat het lijkt alsof er geen andere stemmen zijn

Sánchez, in a passionate address, urged attendees not to be deceived by the volume of right-wing rhetoric, asserting that their "time is running out." He called for progressives to unite, embrace their movement with pride, and actively counter policies that he argued have led to "war, inflation, inequality, and social division." The sentiment echoed by Sánchez is that silence in the face of injustice is unacceptable, particularly for those who exploit workers or support violence.

“

Ze schreeuwen niet omdat ze winnen, ze schreeuwen omdat ze weten dat hun tijd opraakt.

Organized by figures like former Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, the event was conceived as a global platform for socialist and social democratic leaders to advance their vision. It provided a crucial space for dialogue and networking, with panel discussions covering a wide array of topics from artificial intelligence to migration and democracy. For the participants, the true value lay not just in the discussions, but in the forging of connections and the shared sense of urgency to act collectively. This international collaboration is particularly vital from a European perspective, where progressive movements are actively seeking to shape policy and counter populist narratives.

“

De schaamte behoort aan hen die zwijgen in het aangezicht van onrecht, aan hen die arbeiders uitbuiten, aan hen die oorlog en geweld steunen.