The day the left got its act together

MadridWhat will happen this weekend in Barcelona is not little. For the PSOE and its progressive European family, it is a lot. They believe it is the first step towards a comeback for the world of the left, which they hope will be transnational, despite the fact that on a Spanish scale they currently have few demographic joys, starting with the Andalusian elections. And what is happening on Friday and Saturday in the Catalan capital? The Spanish president, Pedro Sánchez, will host a major summit with international leaders – heads of state, mayors, deputies, party leaders, union activists, etc. – to showcase that the left is also capable of organizing internationally (as the far-right has done) and to fight the so-called ultra wave.

suits him perfectly for his strategy of being the antithesisFrom Ferraz they call it the "great event of 21st-century social democracy" and they consider Pedro Sánchez the "great catalyst" as president of the Socialist International, a photo that right now suits him perfectly for his strategy of being the antithesis of Donald Trump. The socialists speak of a "historic" event: up to 3,000 registered participants, 100 round tables to address cross-cutting issues such as the defense of multilateralism – peace will be a relevant element –, the rule of law, climate change, equality... with highlights such as the presence of the Brazilian president, Lula da Silva, or the president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, who just by hearing it will signal a reconciliation with Spain afterthe king acknowledged "abuses" during colonization.Hungary and the 'mid-term'

The event has not been organized in two days and has not been without "difficulties", as the division not only targets the left on a Spanish scale but also on a global level. The summit is sponsored by the Party of European Socialists, by the Socialist International, and by the Progressive Alliance, which is a splinter group of the latter. It is not easy to get Latin American, European, or African leftists to see eye to eye, as the context dictates different priorities, but the organizers guarantee that there will be minimum conclusions on Saturday and that they will work to implement them on a global scale.

Paradoxically, this Monday the Global Progressive Mobilisation was reflected in Hungary, where Péter Magyar has crushed Viktor Orbán: will it be enough to bring down the conservative wave?

They hope the same will happen in the mid-term elections in the United States in November, where they aspire for Trump to suffer a defeat at the polls that will shake him or, at least, moderate his strategy. In fact, for Moncloa, these elections are a key date to change the electoral dynamic in the State, which seems destined for a PP-Vox government. However, what is the problem with this strategy in the case of Spain? In both Hungary and the United States, progressivism champions change. In contrast, in Spain, the left can only champion resistance, as it has been in power for eight years. It can only appeal to the status quo: will it be enough to bring down the conservative wave?