Against a backdrop of protests in France, Belgium, Spain and elsewhere, and continuing war and international instability, progressive leaders stressed their responsibility to respond to people’s concerns and restore trust in politics. They underlined that staying united must mean supporting one another in crucial elections and working together to build a Europe that works for everyone.
PES President Stefan Löfven said:
“People need to know that politics can make their lives better and that Europe can help protect their future. With the far right gaining ground and war and instability around us, our responsibility is to act together and restore that trust.
We need an ambitious European budget that protects the policies our communities rely on and gives Europe the means to meet new challenges. We are asking Europe to take on greater responsibilities as the only way to meet global challenges, and we need to give it the proper means to do so.
We must stand firm in supporting Ukraine, work for peace in the Middle East and ensure that solidarity between European countries means something in practice.”
Meeting in Brussels ahead of the European Council of 15–16 October, progressive leaders from across Europe coordinated their positions on affordability, the next EU long-term budget, Ukraine, the Middle East, European security and enlargement, and migration.
Leaders warned that the far right continues to advance across Europe, pointing to the AfD’s latest gains in Germany. Participants also criticised Trump’s approach to Putin and his renewed attacks on Zelenskyy, stressing that Europe must stand firm in its support for Ukraine.
Leaders expressed their strongest support for Pedro Sánchez and the PSOE ahead of Spain’s elections on 29 November. They highlighted the greater equality and social progress achieved under their leadership.
Progressive leaders congratulated Magdalena Andersson and the Swedish Social Democrats on emerging as Sweden’s largest political force and expressed their support for her efforts to form a new government.
They also congratulated Raphaël Glucksmann on his victory in the French primaries and commended the mobilisation of Olivier Faure, the other candidates, the Socialist Party and Place Publique in the fight against the far right.
Welcoming Elly Schlein and Antti Lindtman to the meeting, participants reaffirmed the PES’s support ahead of their crucial national elections next year, stressing that the results would help shape Europe’s political direction.
Discussions on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) centred on the need for an ambitious budget that matches Europe’s responsibilities. Leaders stressed that the next budget must protect treaty-based policies while strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy and resilience and delivering improvements in people’s lives. They also thanked European Council President António Costa for his efforts to advance discussions through his tour of EU capitals, particularly on new sources of revenue for the European Union.
High energy costs were also a key concern. European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen warned that the number of Europeans struggling to afford adequate heating had risen from around 40 million in 2025 to 47 million in 2026. He stressed that the debate must go beyond competitiveness: it is about people being able to keep their homes warm. He highlighted the pressure that energy bills continue to place on households, even in countries with comparatively lower prices, and called for more affordable electrification to support households and industry.
European Commission Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera highlighted housing as a central concern for people and a key priority in addressing the cost of living.She also welcomed the forthcoming Climate Resilience and Risk Management Package, stressing that Europe remains under-insured and insufficiently prepared for climate risks.
On Ukraine, leaders condemned Russia’s continued attacks on civilians and energy infrastructure as winter approaches. Keeping the lights on should not be a daily struggle for survival. Families should not have to face another winter wondering whether their homes will have electricity, heating or be safe. Participants stressed that Europe must sustain its support to protect Ukraine’s people and critical infrastructure. They also criticised the US administration’s decision to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian diesel, warning that it sent the wrong signal while Russia continues its aggression.
Antti Lindtman, leader of Finland’s Social Democratic Party, described witnessing Russia’s continuing attacks during his September visit to Kyiv. The train carrying him and other participants back from the security conference was also targeted. He stressed the urgency of stepping up support for Ukraine as winter approaches and Russia develops its drone capabilities.
On European security, participants stressed the need to stand up to Russia’s hybrid attacks. They linked Europe’s long-term security to its readiness for enlargement, reaffirming the geostrategic importance of welcoming Ukraine and the Western Balkans into the Union. Preparing for a larger EU must therefore remain a priority, ensuring that Europe has the capacity to act and respond to shared challenges.
European security also means defending democracy and international law. Elly Schlein, leader of Italy’s Democratic Party, warned that powerful tech billionaires are providing the far right with new tools to undermine democratic institutions. She urged Europe to speak with one voice in defence of multilateralism and to protect the International Criminal Court against persistent attacks, including from the United States.
Turning to the Middle East, progressive leaders called for an end to attacks on Lebanon and Gaza and to illegal annexations in the West Bank. They stressed the need to return to a path towards peace and said that the upcoming elections in Israel could create an opportunity to do so.
On migration, participants reiterated the PES’s full support for Pedro Sánchez’s handling of the Ceuta crisis. They stressed that Spain’s borders are EU borders and that every Member State must be able to count on European solidarity and support, regardless of which party leads its government. Participants reaffirmed the importance of a balanced, effective and progressive approach to migration that upholds human rights.
Pictures of the meeting available here.
