FEPS Newsletter 28 April 2026 – 🇪🇸 Barcelona, a beacon of union and hope

The mobilisation has just begun – If you have problems displaying this email, follow this […]

28/04/2026
The mobilisation has just begun –

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For several days, Barcelona stood as a beacon of hope, cooperation and debate, bringing together progressive forces from across Europe and beyond. FEPS was proud to play an active role in this key moment for the movement, contributing to discussions and workshops throughout the gathering.

 

What stood out most was the strong, shared desire to come together at such a crucial time. If there’s one thing to take away from the Global Progressive Mobilisation, it’s this: this was only the beginning. The mobilisation has just begun; stay tuned for what comes next.

FEPS at the GPM
FEPS at the Global Progressive Mobilisation

17-18 APRIL – BARCELONA, SPAIN

FEPS at the Global Progressive Mobilisation

Uniting the world’s progressive forces

 

FEPS took part in the Global Progressive Mobilisation (GPM) in Barcelona, a moment of collective construction to coordinate progressive reflection and actions. Contributing through a series of fringe events, FEPS covered a wide range of topics: 

FEPS TALKS PODCAST

The language of European sovereignty with Josep Borrell

With Josep Borrell and László Andor

 

🎧  Spotify | Apple Podcast | Website | Youtube

The language of EUROPEAN SOVEREIGNTY with Josep Borrell

In this new episode of FEPS Talks, Josep Borrell Fontelles, former EU HRVP, former European Parliament president, former foreign minister of Spain and former chair of the FEPS Scientific Council, shares his opinion about the current challenges which the global disruption pose for the European Union. He explains why it is so hard to forge a stronger, more effective common foreign policy, especially in times of war and the transition towards multipolarity.

Spain alone?

PROGRESSIVE PAGE

Spain alone?

By László Andor, FEPS Secretary General

In the context of the Global Progressive Mobilisation that took place in Barcelona, László Andor stresses that Spain and Pedro Sánchez are not alone in standing up against violations of international law and the privileged interests of a few; social democracy remains a unifying force in the face of the far right. Read more.

Photo credits:  Pool Moncloa / Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

POLICY STUDY

EqualiZe

By Amy Alexander, Elena Avramovska, Nicholas Charron, Matteo Dressler, Lea Gronenberg, Gefjon Off, Tobias Spöri – By FEPS, in collaboration with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Eteron and Dpart

 

A new political gender divide is often said to be defining Gen Z in Europe: young women moving left; young men moving right. But is this really the case?

 

Launched at the GPM, this policy study shows that gender differences among young Europeans are real but vary significantly across countries and issues.

EqualiZe

The study combines data from the European Social Survey data across the EU and beyond with insights from focus groups conducted with young people in Germany, Greece, Poland, Spain and Sweden.

 

Stay tuned for upcoming case studies focusing on Spain, Greece and Sweden!

Events

Upcoming events

See full schedule

Ukraine Solidarity Day
 

📅  29-30 MAY

📍 NICOSIA, CYPRUS

A progressive strategy for peace and cooperation in the Mediterranean
Call to Europe Cyprus

 

Taking place in the context of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union, this new edition of FEPS’ flagship event Call to Europe will discuss key issues shaping the Mediterranean region and the European Union’s approach to the region.

 

The aim of Call to Europe is to stimulate a more positive, participatory, and progressive Europe by bringing together a wide range of progressive actors. Register now!

Past events

See all past events

21 APRIL – EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Appealing to voters’ better natures; is it feasible?

Next Left Lecture

By FEPS, in collaboration with Karl–Renner-Institut

 

Hosted by MEP Andreas Schieder, this latest Next Left lecture was presented by sociologist and political scientist Colin Crouch, Prof. Emeritus at the University of Warwick

 

The lecture explored whether progressive parties can realistically appeal to voters’ “better natures” in an era increasingly shaped by populist cynicism

 
Appealing to voters’ better natures; is it feasible?
An EU social agenda for a geopolitical age

23 APRIL – BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

An enlargement for a new generation

Third progressive enlargement conference  

 

Strengthening democracy, social and labour rights, and improving living standards and working conditions should be central to the accession process. It should drive upward convergence between countries while reinforcing and fully implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights

 

During the event, we addressed how younger generations, national parties and CSOs shape accession. We also compared the experiences of youth in the EU with those in the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe, using a gender lens. 

The conference brought together stakeholders from across the EU and all ten candidate countries.

 

A conference organised by FEPS, in cooperation with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Foundation Max van der Stoel, Kalevi Sorsa Foundation, Olof Palme International Centre, Karl Renner Institut, CeSPI, Progresiva and the S&D Group in the European Parliament, in the framework of FEPS Enlargement Programme.

Election observatory
Unpacking Bulgaria’s election results
 

Unpacking Bulgaria’s

election results 🇧🇬

 

Bulgaria held parliamentary elections on 19 April. This online roundtable examined the factors shaping the electoral outcome, the coalition configurations that may emerge, and how key political actors are likely to approach post-election negotiations.

 

Particular attention was devoted to the Bulgarian Socialist Party, focusing on their electoral performance, campaign messaging and strategic positioning.

Photo credits:  Shutterstock.com/PX Media

Unpacking Hungary’s election results
 

Unpacking Hungary’s

election results 🇭🇺

 

On 12 April 2026, Hungary headed to the polls to elect a new parliament in a vote widely seen as pivotal for both the country and the EU. This discussion examined what explains the election outcome and how key political actors are likely to navigate the post-election process. For a more in-depth analysis of the result, read “Orbán ousted by a landslide: time for a rethink“.

 

On the same topic, read the commentary written by FEPS Secretary General László Andor or his intervention in The Guardian.

Photo credits:  Shutterstock.com/arpasi.bence

Progressive Post
The Spring issue of the Progressive Post is out!

MAGAZINE

The Spring issue of the Progressive Post is out!

 

In geopolitics, 2026 is challenging our certainties: from the abduction of the Venezuelan president, over the open US threats to ‘take’ Greenland, to the US-Israeli war on Iran. This issue’s tries to determine what comes next, debating power politics in the 21st century. 

We then analyse the EU’s need for proactive adaptation measures, exploring the legislation, resources and mechanisms to climate-proof our future. Finally, we highlight the importance of building fair value chains. Read more.

PROGRESSIVE PAGE

The European Green Deal was under siege in 2025, but it is still standing

By Patrick ten Brink, Secretary General of the European Environmental Bureau

The European Green Deal was under siege in 2025, but it is still standing

2025 was a hard year for the European Green Deal, with far more steps backwards and missed opportunities than forward progress. It could have been worse, and – depending on the European Commission’s ‘simplification‘ package (omnibus) – it could still get worse. Read more.

Photo credits:  Shutterstock/Martin Bergsma

 

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Јавање на огнениот коњ

by Racin 19/05/2026
"Riding the Fiery Horse" Read the analysis by László Andor, FEPS Secretary General, on the implications of Donald Trump’s visit to China.

Ue, la competitività non è nulla senza i diritti sociali

by La Repubblica 06/05/2026
"In the EU, competitiveness is nothing without social rights" In this article published in La Repubblica, former European Commissioners Nicolas Schmit (FEPS President), László Andor (FEPS SecGen) and Anna Diamantopoúlou (part of FEPS' Bureau) remind European leaders that deregulation will only make Europe poorer and that only social sovereignty will make it stronger.

A competitividade não é nada sem direitos sociais

by Publico 06/05/2026
"Competitiveness is nothing without social rights." Writing for Público, former European Commissioners Nicolas Schmit (FEPS President), László Andor (FEPS SecGen), and Anna Diamantopoúlou (FEPS Bureau) argue that competitiveness is hollow without social rights. They caution European leaders that a path of deregulation will only lead to widespread poverty, asserting instead that "social sovereignty" is the true key to a stronger Europe.

Andor László: Átváltozó Európa

by Portfolio 06/05/2026
"László Andor: Europe in Transformation" In this article published in Portfolio, former European Commissioners Nicolas Schmit (FEPS President), László Andor (FEPS SecGen) and Anna Diamantopoúlou (part of FEPS' Bureau) remind European leaders that deregulation will only make Europe poorer. They argue that as the continent faces a "stalled" German economy and shifting global dynamics, only social sovereignty and a renewed social contract can truly make the Union stronger.