Spain’s Pedro Sanchez and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will host a meeting of left-wing leaders in Barcelona on 18th April in an attempt to counter the threat to democracy posed by the far right.

The meeting comes at a time when democracy and its values have come under threat worldwide by the rise of authoritarianism and far-right politics in the era of US President Donald Trump.

The “Meeting in Defence of Democracy” will include South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum and European Council president Antonio Costa.

Both Lula and Sanchez – who are contending with far-right challenges ahead of their electoral campaigns – are strong critics of Trump.

But in a news conference with Spanish daily newspaper El País before the meeting, Lula reiterated that it will “not be an anti-Trump meeting”.

“We want to discuss and see if we can find a way to strengthen the democratic process in the world, so we don’t have a setback,” he said at a joint news conference with Sanchez on Friday.

“Because when there is a setback, a Hitler happens.”

Sanchez has said he hopes the meeting “will be the starting point for all progressive forces around the world to join forces. Unity will be our strength”.

Hungarian inspiration 

The Barcelona event will be held on the same day as far-right European leaders hold a meeting in Milan, Italy.

It comes after the loss of the Hungarian nationalist leader Viktor Orban in a general election on Sunday, which some have viewed as a blow to far-right parties in Europe who have held Orban up as an inspiration.

Liberals have celebrated the outcome as a sign that populist governments can be voted out.

The Barcelona edition was first held by Brazil and Spain in 2024, following the surge in the far right in the European Parliament elections.

Both the first two instances of the meeting took place at the United Nations, while the third occurred in Chile last year.

It is also true that several delegates will be part of the first gathering known as the “Global Progressive Mobilisation,” which will take place in the same venue.

Up to 3,000 people, including current and former presidents, mayors, union leaders and academics from over 40 countries, are set to take part.

The gathering is being organised by the Socialist International (SI), the association that Sanchez presides over.

Lula and Sanchez will speak at the event, which will include speeches on topics including income inequality, the environment and how to win more elections.

Sanchez, who has been in office since 2018, has become a figurehead for disgruntled progressives in Europe who look to him as one of the last openly left-wing politicians on a continent that is increasingly becoming right-wing.

His outspoken condemnation of Israel, support for immigration and hostility to the US-Israeli campaign against Iran have also helped to enhance his left-wing credentials.