The PES Presidency met online today to assess the rapidly deteriorating global context and its implications for Europe’s sovereignty, security and strategic autonomy.
The members of the PES Presidency discussed the latest global developments in a world increasingly shaped by spheres of influence, economic coercion and the return of raw power politics. Participants warned against transactional and imperialist approaches to international relations. They strongly denounced the threats against the territorial integrity of Greenland and expressed their full support for Denmark and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, stressing that such actions mark a departure from the principles of cooperation and respect that have traditionally underpinned transatlantic relations and global stability and peace.
Convened in the context of the upcoming extraordinary European Council meeting led by António Costa, the discussion focused on the urgent need for Europe to act decisively to defend its values, democracy and capacity to shape global affairs. The members of the presidency reaffirmed the European Union’s determination to respond firmly to global pressures, reinforce internal unity, protect key alliances and ensure continued, unwavering support for Ukraine in the current geopolitical context.
These developments underline the urgent need to reinforce Europe’s strategic autonomy — ensuring that Europe can defend its citizens, protect democracy, secure its industrial and energy base, and act on the global stage as an equal partner. Progressive leaders warned that failure to act decisively risks Europe becoming strategically irrelevant.
Participants stressed that achieving this objective requires a stronger economic and industrial foundation, sustained investment in innovation and clean technologies, resilient value chains, and genuine energy sovereignty. It also demands reinforced security and collective defence, supported by long-term planning and investment to safeguard peace and democratic stability. Financing remains a central enabler, with progressives insisting that all options must remain on the table s highlighted in the work led by Mario Draghi on Europe’s investment needs.
Stefan Löfven, President of the Party of European Socialists, said:
“Europe must respond with unity and political courage. We cannot afford hesitation when our sovereignty and democratic and social model are under pressure. Strategic autonomy is about protecting our citizens, our security and our ability to decide our own future. Progressives are stepping up, preparing a major mobilisation to bring our family together and stand firm against the far right, with clarity, solidarity and ambition.”
At the meeting, Stefan Löfven announced the upcoming Global Progressive Mobilisation. The first Global Progressive Mobilisation event will be held in Barcelona, Spain, on 17–18 April. Hosted by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and organised together with the Progressive Alliance, the Socialist International and other international partners and organisations, this high-level initiative will bring together progressives from around the world to coordinate responses to authoritarianism, the far right and the erosion of multilateralism.
The Global Progressive Mobilisation idea was born after the PES “Progressive Mobilisation” Congress in Amsterdam last October and was endorsed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Giacomo Filibeck, PES Secretary General, said:
“The answer to today’s reactionary and nationalist forces cannot be fragmented or timid. The Global Progressive Mobilisation is our collective response — uniting progressives across borders to defend democracy, multilateralism and social justice. At a time of global uncertainty, progressives must act together, with purpose and confidence.”
The PES Presidency underlined that progressives have a historic responsibility to lead this agenda — standing against the far right and those undermining European integration, while defending the values and priorities that underpin the European project.
The meeting concluded with a call for progressive leaders to actively shape a strategic and ambitious course for the European Union, rooted in unity, resilience and global responsibility.
Pictures from the event are available here
