Progressive leaders from around the world gathered in Barcelona over the weekend to defend multilateralism, counter the rise of the far right and project a coordinated response to a world increasingly shaped by war, nationalism and superpower rivalry. The twin gatherings — the fourth In Defence of Democracy summit and the inaugural Global Progressive Mobilisation — were led by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The meetings brought together prominent left-leaning leaders including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Colombian President Gustavo Petro, as well as thousands of activists, elected officials and policy thinkers. Reuters reported that about 3,000 people attended the Global Progressive Mobilisation, while the broader push involved delegates and political actors from more than 40 countries.
Lula used the platform to deliver one of the sharpest speeches of the summit, criticising permanent members of the United Nations Security Council for acting unilaterally and undermining the international system they are meant to uphold. He said the world could not continue living under the threat of impulsive decisions by powerful leaders acting outside multilateral institutions. Reuters said his remarks reflected wider frustration among progressive governments over the erosion of global rules and the growing use of force without broad international consultation.
The Brazilian president also voiced support for Ramaphosa, who has been locked in a fresh dispute with U.S. President Donald Trump. Lula criticised Trump’s reported decision to exclude South Africa from the G20 summit due to be held in Miami in December 2026, arguing that no single country owns the forum. “The American president doesn’t have the right to remove you from the G20, because he doesn’t own the G20,” Lula said, according to reports from the event.
Beyond the speeches, the summit sought to build a practical response to right-wing populism and growing voter frustration over inflation, insecurity and inequality. Participants discussed fairer taxation, protection of democratic institutions and strategies to reconnect with working-class voters who have increasingly drifted toward nationalist and far-right movements. Reuters said organisers framed the event as proof that progressive politics can still offer a credible alternative if it addresses everyday economic pain more effectively.
Sánchez, Lula and Ramaphosa remained at the convention centre later in the day to attend the opening of the Global Progressive Mobilisation, reinforcing the message that the fight over democracy and global order is now as much about grassroots organisation as it is about diplomacy.
