Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez hosted a two-day convention in Barcelona this weekend, billed as a “progressive CPAC,” to unite global left-wing leaders against what he described as an international “reactionary wave.”
Sánchez warned that the era of the ultra-right has come to an end, stating that “it doesn’t matter how much they scream, or how many lies they spread.” The Spanish leader linked the current global political climate to an increase in hate speech, sexism, war and division.
- Global Coalition: Leaders from Brazil, South Africa, Colombia, and Mexico joined European officials to coordinate a progressive response to right-wing policies.
- US Tension: Attendees criticized US policies regarding tariffs and military action, with some describing the current US administration’s drift as “fascism.”
- Domestic Pressure: The summit follows legal charges filed against Sánchez’s wife, Begoña Gómez, regarding corruption.
The Global Progressive CPAC Against the Right
The event served as a left-wing answer to the conservative CPAC gathering. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticized leaders who “call themselves patriots but put their sovereignty up for sale.”
The guest list included South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. European representatives included UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, German Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, Italy’s opposition leader Elly Schlein, and Belgian politician Paul Magnette.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, speaking during the inaugural Global Progressive Mobilisation, described US President Donald Trump as “trigger-happy” and lacking a plan. Walz suggested the administration’s trajectory should be called “fascism.”
President Lula further praised Sánchez for his decision to deny US forces access to Spanish military bases for strikes against Iran.
Diplomatic Strains and Domestic Challenges
While Sánchez has grown his international profile by taking independent stances on Gaza and Iran, his approach has strained relations with the White House. President Trump has criticized Sánchez’s leadership and claimed Spain is not paying its fair share for NATO protection.
Trump has also threatened to impose a full trade blockade on Spain, though no official measures have been announced. Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum participated in democracy protection events but avoided the main political rally as the Trump administration reviews the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.
The convention concluded during a challenging week for Sánchez at home. His wife, Begoña Gómez, is set to face trial following a two-year corruption investigation. Sánchez and Gómez have denied all wrongdoing, with sources close to the Prime Minister describing the case as politically motivated.
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