Global Left‑Side Gathering in Spain Aims to Counter Right‑Wing Rise

Thousands of left‑leaning activists met in Barcelona on the weekend to discuss ways to stop authoritarianism and win back voters moving right. The event drew over 6, 000 people from more than 40 countries and focused on ideas like changing the UN Security Council and taxing the wealthiest. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez led the meeting, hoping the far‑right surge has slowed after Trump’s decline in polls and Hungary’s Viktor Orbán lost power. The summit also highlighted the need for new alliances among left‑wing groups worldwide. Leaders such as South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa and Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke about reforming global institutions. They urged the creation of a fairer multilateral system that benefits everyone, not just elites. A key concern for left‑wing parties is everyday life costs. A recent survey of 30 countries showed voters worry more about unemployment, inflation and poverty than extremist politics. Rising fuel prices from the Middle East war have hurt Trump’s popularity, giving left‑wing strategists a chance to talk about the economy before midterm elections.Economist Gabriel Zucman proposed higher wealth taxes on millionaires and billionaires, a popular idea in Europe and the U. S. but rejected in France. Critics argue that people struggling to afford basics cannot focus on democracy. Former adviser Neera Tanden said the left must address economic worries first. Isabel Allende, former Chilean Senate president, warned that the left is out of touch with ordinary people. She said it is impossible to fight right‑wing forces if citizens feel ignored. Attendees from the IMF and World Bank noted a shared urgency to change global power balances, though concrete plans were unclear. Economist Mariana Mazzucato warned that if progressives do not offer a credible alternative, someone else will fill the vacuum. Studies show an increase in authoritarian governments and fewer foreign aid programs from wealthy democracies, as citizens face domestic cost‑of‑living issues. Organizers stressed that the meeting was not a protest against Trump but an effort to unite social democrats worldwide. The event featured many American left and centre‑left voices, including former VP candidate Tim Walz and supporters of Bernie Sanders. U. S. Senator Chris Murphy said right‑wing tactics are similar across countries and that sharing experiences is vital to counter them.