As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen international cooperation between democratic forces, the EDP recently hosted a transatlantic dinner discussion in Paris, bringing together key figures from European and American centrist politics. The evening was led by EDP Secretary General Sandro Gozi and featured Tim Ryan, former U.S. Congressman and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, currently visiting Europe with a delegation from the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI). Representing the French Democratic Movement (MoDem) was Secretary General Maud Gatel. The gathering took place in a brasserie just beside the Assemblée nationale, offering an ideal setting for open, strategic dialogue.
The discussion covered a broad set of themes central to the EDP’s mission of advancing a strong, pro-European centre and fostering international collaboration. Topics included:
- Lessons learned from the US presidential elections (for both the US and in France/Europe)
- The future of centrist politics in France ( with an eye to the 2027 Presidential election)
- Strategies to build the centre in the US
- Strategies to reach out to disaffected voters
- Political messaging tactics (especially around issues such as the climate)
- Public sector reform in France
- The industrial situation in the US (especially related to green technologies)
- The future of the French and European economies
- The international agenda of elections in Europe and the US
- International cooperation between democratic force
For the EDP, these exchanges are vital to our vision of a united and resilient democratic centre. In today’s volatile political climate — marked by polarization, populism, and global economic uncertainty—we believe that cross-border Democratic collaboration is more essential than ever. This dinner marked another step in building concrete links between reform-minded leaders in Europe and the United States. With crucial elections ahead on both continents, we are committed to continuing this dialogue, sharing ideas, and reinforcing the centrist narrative through joint initiatives and strategic cooperation. The EDP will continue to foster these transatlantic relationships to defend democratic values and promote practical, forward-looking policies for citizens across Europe.
