Barcelona
Friday 17 April 2026

Local progressive mobilisation - Assembly of Locally Elected Politicians

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 - Assembly of Locally Elected Politicians  

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

PROGRAMME

17:00- 19:00

PROGRAMME

Programme

Welcoming Remarks

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

  •  María Victoria Chivite Navascués, President of Navarra and Vice President of the PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions
  •  Heike Raab, State Secretary, State Chancellery of Rhineland-Palatinate and President of SEDEC Commission in the European Committee of the Regions
  • 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, 
  • Nathalie Sarrabezolles, Departmental Councillor of Finistère, Vice President of the PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions
  • Isolde Ries,Member of the Saarbrücken West District, Member of the PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions, ECON Coordinator
  • Thomas Dermine, Mayor of Charleroi
  • Christie Morreale, Head of the Socialist Group, Regional Parliament of Wallonia
  • Pascal Smet,  Member of the Regional Parliament of the Brussels-Capital Region, Member of the  PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions, COTER Coordinator
  •  Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions 
  • Ahmet Aras, Mayor of the Muğla Metropolitan Municipalit and Chair of Socialist International Network of Local and Regional Authorities
  • Roberto Gualtieri, Mayor of Rome, Member of the PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions and Chair of the PES Network of Capitals and Big Cities' Network 
  • 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
  • Mar Jiménez Carreté, Commissioner for European Affairs, City of Barcelona 
  • 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 
  • Darío Moreno Lerga, Mayor of Sagunto
  • Lal Denizli, Mayor of Çeşme, PES Group Young Elected Politician
  • Mariana Odobescu, Council Member from Edineț Municipality in Moldova

  • Alejandra Bravo, City Councillor of Toronto and Chair of Economic and Comunnity Development Committee Ana Maria Archila, commissioner of International Affairs of New York 

     

 

Further reading