Barcelona
Friday 17 April 2026

Local Progressive Mobilisation

17.00 - 19.00
Fira de Barcelona, Room Edward Said Av. de la Reina Maria Cristina, s/n, Sants-Montjuïc, 08004 Barcelona
from: EN/ES/FR/PT/IT
to: EN/ES/FR/PT/IT

Get ready for a pivotal moment of discussion and exchange in this historic period, as the global progressive family comes together in Barcelona for the Global Progressive Mobilisation (GPM) on 17–18 April. Leaders from around the world will gather to share ideas, strengthen cooperation, and demonstrate the power of progressive politics today.

The Socialist International Network of Regional and Local Authorities, the PES Network of Capitals and Big Cities' Mayors, the S&D Group in the European Parliament and the PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions together with PSOE and the Barcelona Socialist Municipal Group led by Mayor Jaume Collboni, are joining forces at the GPM to gather mayors and locally elected leaders from across the world who know that cities are where the progressive answer is most tangible, most immediate, and most felt, and who are determined to build the shared vision and collective strength to make it count.

Within this framework, we will begin with our discussion on Friday 17 April from 17:00 to 19:00, through the Local Progressive Mobilisation.

The Assembly of Local Leaders focuses on sharing practical solutions, helping participants leave with clear messages, stronger connections, and ideas they can apply locally. The discussion explores how to communicate progressive local policies beyond already engaged audiences, identifying which narratives and tools resonate most.

It highlights how visible improvements in everyday life, such as quality public services and well-resourced neighborhoods, can build trust, with participants exchanging experiences on successful initiatives that strengthen community relationships.

 

Speakers

Luca Menesini

Jaume Collboni

Iratxe García Pérez

Haris Doukas

Hana Jalloul Muro

PROGRAMME

17:00- 19:00

PROGRAMME

Programme

Welcoming Remarks

  • Luca Menesini, President of the PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions

  • Hana Jalloul Muro,  Vice President of Socialist International and Member of the S&D Group in the European Parliament 

    Chairs

  • Jaume Collboni, Mayor of Barcelona and Member of the PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions 
  • Iratxe García Pérez, President of the S&D Group in the European Parliament

 Introductory Interventions 

  • Haris Doukas, Mayor of Athens and Vice-President of the PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions 

Open Exchange Discussion with participants

Concluding Remarks

Invitees & Participants

in alphabetical order

  • Ahmet Aras, Mayor of the Muğla Metropolitan Municipality and Chair of the Socialist International Network of Local and Regional Authorities 
  • Ana María Archila, Commissioner for International Affairs, City of New York 
  • Alejandra Bravo, City Councillor of Toronto and Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee 
  • Arianna Censi, City Councillor for Mobility, City of Milan and PES Group ENVE Coordinator in the European Committee of the Regions
  • María Victoria Chivite Navascués, President of Navarre and Vice President of the PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions
  • Lal Denizli, Mayor of Çeşme and PES Group Young Elected Politician
  • Thomas Dermine, Mayor of Charleroi 
  • Roberto Gualtieri, Mayor of Rome, Member of the PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions and Chair of the PES Capitals and Big Cities' Mayors Network
  •  Mar Jiménez Carreté, Commissioner for European Affairs, City of Barcelona
  •  Joško Klisović, Member of the Assembly of the City of Zagreb and International Secretary of SDP Croatia, Vice President of the PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions 
  • Carlos Martínez Mínguez, Mayor of Soria, Member of the PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions and Rapporteur on the European Social Fund (tbc)
  • Darío Moreno Lerga, Mayor of Sagunto
  • Christie Morreale, Head of the Socialist Group, Regional Parliament of Wallonia 
  • Mariana Odobescu, Council Member from Edineț Municipality, Moldova
  • Yonnec Polet, PES Deputy Secretary General, Local Councillor of Berchem-Sainte-Agathe and Member of the PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions
  •  Heike Raab, State Secretary, State Chancellery of Rhineland-Palatinate and President of the SEDEC Commission in the European Committee of the Regions
  •  Isolde Ries, Member of the Saarbrücken West District Council and PES Group ECON Coordinator in the European Committee of the Regions
  •  Nathalie Sarrabezolles, Departmental Councillor of Finistère, Vice President of the PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions
  •  Pascal Smet, Member of the Brussels-Capital Region Parliament and PES Group COTER Coordinator in the European Committee of the Regions
  •  Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions

 

 

 

Further reading