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rominent left-leaning leaders from across the world are convening in Barcelona this weekend in a coordinated effort to strengthen progressive alliances and push back against the growing influence of far-right movements globally.

The gatherings are spearheaded by Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, and Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who are co-hosting a series of high-level meetings bringing together political leaders, activists, and civil society representatives.

The initiative, dubbed the “Global Progressive Mobilization,” aims to rally support for multilateralism, democratic institutions, and coordinated action on issues such as climate change and social inequality. Organizers say the meetings will culminate in a joint declaration outlining shared priorities and strategies.

The summit comes amid shifting global dynamics, including policy changes under U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration’s cuts to humanitarian aid, military actions, and critical stance toward NATO have unsettled traditional alliances and prompted renewed debate over international cooperation.

Prominent leaders to attend

Several prominent leaders are expected to attend, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. Sheinbaum’s visit marks the first trip by a Mexican president to Spain since 2018, following years of diplomatic tensions related to historical grievances over Spain’s colonial legacy.

A parallel event organized by Spain’s ruling Socialist Party is set to draw around 3,000 participants, including current and former heads of state, hundreds of mayors, trade unions, and grassroots organizations. The two-day gathering will focus on mobilizing support for progressive policies and strengthening political networks across borders.

The meetings also reflect concerns among left-wing leaders following the rise of far-right parties in recent years, particularly after gains in the 2024 European Parliament elections. Organizers describe the Barcelona summit as a response to that trend, aiming to demonstrate that alternative political pathways remain viable.

International cooperation is important

Speaking ahead of the event, Sánchez emphasized the importance of international cooperation among progressive forces. “It is important that progressive parties and governments unite to show that there is something beyond domestic politics,” he said during a recent visit to China, where he met President Xi Jinping to discuss closer ties.

The summit follows recent political developments in Europe, including the electoral defeat of Hungarian nationalist leader Viktor Orbán, which Sánchez has pointed to as evidence that far-right momentum can be challenged.

Organizers say the overarching goal is to present a unified front against what they describe as “extreme right-wing movements” and to reinforce commitments to democratic governance and international collaboration.

The Barcelona meetings are expected to conclude with a joint statement from participating leaders, outlining coordinated efforts to address global challenges and strengthen progressive political movements worldwide.

(Source: Reuters)

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n early October, the ANO party won the Czech Republic’s parliamentary elections with the support of more than a third of the electorate. The Spolu Union, the largest party in the ruling center-right coalition, lost power after dropping 4.4 percent in the vote count compared to the previous elections. More importantly, the far-right ANO party’s first-place finish has created a political situation in which no coalition is possible without it.

Following the October 3–4, 2025 elections, discussions intensified regarding the ANO party and its leader, Andrej Babiš. In the Czech Republic, a member of the European Union, there is increasing speculation about a possible political reversal in the event of an ANO-led government due to the party’s stance on the EU. ANO chairman Andrej Babiš has begun indirect preliminary talks with the far-right parties Motoristé Sobě (Drivers’ Party) and SPD (Freedom and Direct Democracy) regarding the formation of a coalition or a minority government supported by these parties. However, both parties being discussed as potential coalition partners for ANO have drawn attention due to their far-right and racist statements.

The SPD’s opposition to the EU and the Drivers’ Party’s anti-EU stance have already raised doubts about the potential new coalition or minority government, despite the latter’s claims to the contrary. The most striking aspect of these doubts is the ANO party’s position. Prior to the 2024 European Parliament elections, ANO was part of the liberal ALDE group. However, after the 2024 elections, ANO joined the newly formed far-right, racist Patriots for Europe group. After meeting with the Czech president on November 3, 2025, the ANO party leader will most likely be tasked with forming a government and will begin negotiations to form a coalition or minority government with the two aforementioned parties. Europe’s first far-right, racist coalition or partnership now appears likely to be formed in the heart of Europe.

Fragmented and divided politics

Looking back at the period before the most recent elections, the differences in Czech politics become more apparent. The ANO party, which won the elections, does not have a long political history. Established in 2011, it held six ministerial posts in the Bohuslav Sobotka-led coalition government from 2013 to 2017. Under Babiš’s leadership, ANO became the leading party in the 2017 Czech Republic elections, winning nearly 30 percent of the vote. However, this also led to a political stalemate. Although ANO had previously been part of a center-right coalition with the Social Democrats and Christian Democrats, no party was willing to form a coalition with it after the 2017 election.

Other political movements focused more on Babiš himself than on the ANO party. Despite these reactions, ANO formed a minority government with the external support of the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party. While receiving support from the far right in government, ANO also cooperated with the far-right SPD and the Communist Party in parliament. In mid-2018, however, ANO formed a coalition with the Social Democrats (CSSD) and established a minority government with external support from the Communist Party, which lasted until 2021.

Although ANO has been classified as an anti-EU party since its inception, it was part of the ALDE group, composed of European Liberals, in the European Parliament from 2014 to 2024. Following the most recent European Parliament elections, however, its inclusion in the newly formed Patriots for Europe group appears to be the main reason why a clear political assessment of this party—set to govern the Czech Republic in the coming period—remains difficult.

Another noteworthy point is Steve Bannon’s earlier involvement with extreme political movements in the country. He was one of the first to mention the Patriots across Europe. In 2018, Bannon traveled extensively throughout Europe, attempting to organize far-right political movements with high voter potential and broad appeal to large constituencies in various countries. Bannon served as a chief advisor during Trump’s first presidential term and stated at a conference that the future of Europe would lie with an elite group of European patriots. Prior to the 2019 European Parliament elections, Bannon organized programs and conferences with leading far-right political movements in Europe. Prague was one of the European capitals Bannon visited during this process.

Steve Bannon was received by then-Czech president Miloš Zeman in September 2018. Bannon shared his experiences from the U.S. elections with Zeman for the 2019 European Parliament elections. Petr Bystron, a member of the German Federal Parliament and the Alternative for Germany (AfD), accompanied Bannon on this visit.

It is also noteworthy that former Czech president Miloš Zeman has increasingly shifted to the right and embraced anti-immigrant and anti-Islam political views since leaving the Social Democratic Party (CSSD), which he once led.

Brussels tense and cautious

As the leader of a political movement shifting from liberal to conservative values, Andrej Babiš ran his campaign under the slogan “Czech Republic First,” employing a tactic similar to Trump’s “America First” motto. Babiš won the election by prioritizing the interests of Czech citizens in his political discourse, including cutting off support to Ukraine during previous government terms. He frequently stated that he would prioritize the social interests of his citizens and that their needs came first. He emphasized his determination to end the supply of ammunition to Ukraine via the Czech Republic.

Experts say that Babiš clearly changed his political stance after the 2024 European Parliament elections, adopting a pro-Russian position within the EU and becoming one of Russia’s “Trojan horses.” The Czech Republic’s vocal objections to EU policies—alongside Slovakia and Hungary within the Visegrad Group—have drawn attention. Previously viewed as a reliable partner for Brussels under Prime Minister Fiala, the Czech Republic is now under Babiš’s leadership.

The presence of the Drivers’ Party (Motoristé Sobě) and Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) within the Patriots for Europe group as potential coalition partners is causing concern in Brussels regarding the Czech Republic’s future direction. Both parties are anti-EU and pro-Russia in their rhetoric and oppose aid to Ukraine. Brussels is also concerned that the Czech Republic’s new government may drift further from the European path. Together with countries such as Slovakia and Hungary, it could contribute to the expansion of an anti-EU movement.

The Czech Republic: Where the roads cross

The Czech Republic is located in the heart of Europe and is a member state of strategic importance to the EU in every respect. The Gazela pipeline, which transports natural gas from the Nord Stream pipelines to southern Germany and other Central European countries, gives the country strategic importance for European energy security. During the Fiala government, efforts were made to reduce dependence on Russian gas by highlighting alternative LNG supplies from Qatar and the United States via Poland. However, the lack of serious initiatives in this regard has led to increased energy costs due to supply shortages or transportation challenges in this economically struggling country.

Furthermore, the governance of the Czech Republic—an important NATO member—is significant in terms of Europe’s energy and military security, as well as the new groupings emerging in the EU political arena. Although ANO leader Babiš has made pro-EU and pro-NATO statements, EU leaders in Brussels remain unconvinced.

The future of the far right in the European political arena

The victory of a party that founded the Patriots for Europe group—which includes Europe’s far-right and racist parties and was established after the 2024 European Parliament elections—in an important EU country is also significant for the future of the far right or populist right. It is concerning that a party that can be categorically described as populist and right-wing, yet appears liberal in its rhetoric, is turning to the far right for power and embracing far-right and racist political discourse. However, focusing specifically on the Czech Republic, the loss of votes by far-right and racist parties such as the SPD suggests that relatively moderate right-wing parties could rise to power in other countries by adopting the rhetoric of the far right.

Moreover, these new political developments indicate an increase in political movements within EU member states that prioritize national interests over European interests. The EU bureaucracy itself is partly responsible for this situation. For a long time, EU bureaucrats and leaders have failed to foster a cohesive European identity, which has become increasingly diluted. Negotiations over issues not inherently European or not directly related to Europe, coupled with the vilification of national leaders and politicians defending their countries’ national interests against the EU in recent years, have paved the way for far-right or right-wing populist political movements in national elections. This has contributed to a shift from the center-right to the political fringe. This is precisely what is happening in the Czech Republic.

Following the October 3–4, 2025 elections, the Czech Republic is approaching a political turning point. The country continues to experience polarization and political fragmentation in an environment where the balance of power has shifted to the far right. Ultimately, Andrej Babiš is the leader of the party that was elected. Whether or not the EU favors Babiš, it must engage with him politically. It is within the EU’s power to leverage this relationship to its advantage. Time will tell whether Babiš—whom President Pavel will task with forming a government on November 3, 2025—will be truly pro-European or whether he will distance himself from his European partners. This new situation is of vital importance to the stability of Central Europe and the EU.

(Originally published in Turkish by Kriter)

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n a political shift that reflects a broader trend in Europe, Portugal’s centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD) emerged victorious in Sunday’s general election, according to the party’s leader, Luis Montenegro. However, the path to forming a government remains uncertain, as Montenegro ruled out negotiations with the surging far-right Chega party, whose parliamentary representation quadrupled to at least 48 seats.

The rise of Chega has given the combined right a majority in the 230-seat legislature. This outcome signifies an unexpected move towards the far right in Portugal, a country that has historically been considered immune to the rise of right-wing populism in Europe. The election results echo a wider trend expected to manifest in gains for far-right parties across the continent in the upcoming European elections in June.

Pedro Nuno Santos, the leader of the left-leaning Socialist Party (PS), conceded defeat after a closely contested election. The PS, in power since 2015, secured the second position by a narrow margin. Montenegro, addressing supporters, emphasized that the AD had won the election and called for responsible actions by parties in the new parliament to fulfill the wishes of the Portuguese people.

A “negative alliance”

While Santos ruled out supporting the AD’s platform, which includes across-the-board tax cuts, Montenegro expressed hope that the PS and Chega would not form a “negative alliance” to thwart the desired government. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is yet to formally invite the AD leader to form a government, a step that Montenegro anticipates.

The AD, along with conservative allies in the Madeira region, won a total of at least 79 seats, surpassing the PS’s 77. Four seats were pending attribution after the final count of ballots from abroad.

The far-right Chega party campaigned on an anti-establishment platform, focusing on eliminating corruption and expressing concerns about what it perceives as “excessive” immigration. Chega’s leader, Andre Ventura, asserted that the election results demonstrated the Portuguese people’s desire for a government comprising the AD and Chega.

A severe housing crisis

Amid concerns of potential political instability, AD supporters voiced their expectations at the election night party. Paula Medeiros stated that there was “no doubt that instability will be constant.” The PS and the Social Democratic Party (PSD), leading the newly formed AD, have alternated in power since the fall of the dictatorship in 1974.

Key issues dominating the campaign included a severe housing crisis, low wages, healthcare challenges, and widespread corruption. Despite these challenges, Portugal, under Socialist leadership, achieved solid economic growth and budget surpluses, earning praise from Brussels and investors. The AD’s approach to fiscal prudence will be closely monitored as it navigates forming a government in this new political landscape.

Source: Reuters