In the heart of Paris, just a short walk from the Assemblée nationale, the European Democratic Party (EDP) convened an intimate and strategic dinner discussion hosted by EDP Secretary General Sandro Gozi. The gathering brought together a select group of parliamentarians and political figures from the EDP’s French member party, Mouvement Démocrate (MoDem), alongside Will Marshall, President and Founder of the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), a leading centrist think tank in Washington, D.C. The evening provided a timely opportunity for European and American democratic leaders to engage in a frank and forward-looking exchange on the state of transatlantic relations, shared political challenges, and future strategies. With democracy under pressure globally, the conversation underscored the importance of reinforcing cooperation between likeminded partners committed to open societies, effective governance, and citizen engagement. Will Marshall offered a deep dive into the evolving political landscape of the United States, particularly the internal dynamics shaping the Democratic Party as it prepares for the 2026 Midterms. He highlighted emerging trends in public opinion, noting that while President Donald Trump retains a significant base of support, public opinion is souring due to his economic policies, his stance on the war in Ukraine, and mistreatment of long-time allies in Europe and around the world. This shift, Marshall explained, presents an opportunity for Democrats to build a broader, more inclusive coalition, focused on pragmatic, future-oriented solutions.
Participants also discussed the current political context in France and the broader European Union, where democrats face the dual challenge of rising populism and waning public trust in institutions. MoDem representatives shared their perspectives on the urgency of reinvigorating democratic discourse and delivering on core policy priorities that matter to citizens. Throughout the evening, the spirit of collaboration and strategic alignment prevailed. The participants explored ways to strengthen ties between European and American democrats, including through joint forums, policy exchanges, and youth engagement initiatives. Common priorities such as climate action, digital innovation, and defending democratic values formed the backbone of the discussion, along with a shared recognition that unity among moderates is essential in a world of increasing polarization. Sandro Gozi emphasized the symbolic and strategic value of such transatlantic engagements. He noted that building resilient democracies requires not only sound institutions but also networks of trust, dialogue, and cooperation around the world.With the world facing complex and interconnected challenges, an Alliance of Democracies among centrist democratic actors in Europe, the U.S. and around the world is increasingly necessary.
The dinner concluded with a sense of renewed purpose and commitment to working together across borders. While the setting was intimate, the discussions were ambitious—reflecting a shared understanding that the future of democracy depends on leadership that is bold, cooperative, and unafraid to engage with complexity.
Participants: Will Marshall, Sandro Gozi, Erwan Balanant, Pierre-Jean Baty, Marina Ferrari, Marc Fesnau, Bruno Fuchs, Maud Gatel, Béatrice Lecouturier, Maud Lelièvre, Frédéric Petit and Marc Fesneau.
