Mariana Mazzucato is FEPS Progressive Person of the Year 2025-2026

Renowned economist and inspirational author, Mariana Mazzucato stands out among contemporary economists as a voice of clarity and reason, consistently challenging entrenched myths that pit the public and private sectors against each other that block progressive solutions.

FEPS awards the title of Progressive Person of the Year to social democratic leaders and personalities who contributed to important progressive policy initiatives of the past year.

BOOK LAUNCH – 29 JANUARY – FEPS HQ

📕 Progressive Yearbook launch

FEPS New Year reception

With the volatile start to 2026, what insights can progressives learn from 2025?

The 7th edition of the Progressive Yearbook offers analyses of the EU’s internal issues, including: defence and digital autonomy, what remains of the previous EU Commission’s Green Deal, as well as global questions, such as international trade, tariffs and the emerging new world order.

At the launch of the book, we were joined by authors and guests, such as Esther Lynch, ETUC Secretary General; Fabrizia Panzetti, S&D Secretary General; Giacomo Filibeck, PES Secretary General; Reiner Hoffmann, Vice President of FES and former President of the DGB; Bruno Jeanbart, Vice-president at OpinionWay and Daniela Huber, Associate Professor at Roma Tre University.

📺 Watch the full New Year Reception!

📢 Check out the highlights of the event.

Maria Joao Rodrigues departs from FEPS Presidency – Nicolas Schmit is the new president

FEPS says goodbye to Maria João Rodrigues, who has officially stepped down as FEPS President. The role is now taken up by former Commissioner for Social Rights and Jobs, Nicolas Schmit. 

After serving eight years as FEPS President, Rodrigues requested to be replaced, having accomplished her mission of building a sound, strategic, and professional governance system that made FEPS the central think tank of the European progressive family.

30 JAN – FEPS HQ

An EU social agenda for a geopolitical age

An expert meeting by FEPS

Five years after the Porto Social Summit and the adoption of the Action Plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights, the EU is facing an increasingly challenging geopolitical landscape. Against this backdrop, FEPS hosted an expert roundtable to explore how the EU can revive its social model and reaffirm its sovereignty. 

Photo credits: FEPS

ARTICLE IN POLITICO

Von der Leyen’s management style “not good for Europe”, says ex-commissioner

In this POLITICO article, FEPS New President Nicolas Schmit raises concerns about the Commission’s long-term vision and strategic planning, while noting its limited response to US sanctions against Thierry Breton. Read more.

DOSSIER

Might over rights: power politics in the 21st century

In geopolitics, 2026 has kicked off on a roller-coaster. With this dossier, the Progressive Post asks: What new world (dis)order is in the making? Will the law of the strongest prevail?

Photo credits: Shutterstock / Alberto Andrei Rosu

Photo credits:  Shutterstock.com/Peter Serocki

PROGRESSIVE PAGE

Ending the US democratic experiment?

By Mario Del Pero, Professor of International History at Sciences Po, Paris, and Senior Research Fellow at ISPI, Milan