At the European Democratic Party Congress, held on November 21 at the Bilbao Exhibition Center in Bilbao, an extraordinary picture of the new European democratic family was presented. Representatives of the four new member parties— Momentum (Malta), Alma – Citizens for Cyprus (Cyprus), Everybody’s Hungary – MMN (Hungary), and Movement for Democracy (Greece) —took to the stage alongside three guest parties: People’s Movement of Serbia (NPS), Junts per Catalunya (Catalonia), and Eesti 200 (Estonia).
Completing the picture was the international presence of Indian MP Manish Tewari (Indian National Congress) and Japanese MP Yosuke Suzuki (Constitutional Democratic Party), who spoke in the second panel as political representatives of their respective national parties. It was a broad mosaic, showing the increasingly global dimension of the democratic project at the heart of the EDP.
From Malta, Momentum brought the voice of its secretary general, Mark Camilleri Gambin, who warned of the risk of sacrificing principles and rights on the altar of economic competitiveness. For him, a strong Europe is not built by lowering standards, but by enhancing innovation and protecting citizens: “We do not build the future by lowering our standards, but by raising our capacity to innovate.” This was a clear message against the excessive power of big tech and in defense of a digitalization that protects minors and strengthens pluralism.
From Cyprus, Alma made its debut in the EDP with the words of its president, Odysseas Michaelides. A centrist and reformist party born out of opposition to privilege and scandal, Alma looks at a country that is still divided and seeks European support for a fair and lasting solution. Michaelides made it clear: “A change of borders cannot be accepted. We need solidarity and a solution that allows all Cypriots to live in peace.” Moderation, rationality, and the rule of law as a political philosophy.
From Hungary, Péter Márki-Zay—economist, mayor, and leader of Everybody’s Hungary (MMN)—gave a harsh, personal, and political testimony about the pressures of Orbán’s power system. He recounted persecution, threats, and smear campaigns, reminding everyone what it means to fight for democracy in an illiberal regime. “We know well what you are facing in Europe when you encounter the threat of Orbán and Putin,” he warned, reaffirming his movement’s pro-European commitment.
Greece is represented by the Movement for Democracy, led by Stefanos Kasselakis, who explained how his party was born out of the need to rebuild a liberal-progressive center in a country tired of broken promises. Kasselakis summed up his vision clearly: “We need practical solutions with human beings at the center: only in this way can European Democrats be successful.” This is a line that combines modern public intervention, reformism, and a fairer economy.
Among the guests, Miroslav Aleksic of the People’s Movement of Serbia (NPS) described a year of repression, protests, and civil resistance in his country. He denounced violence, illegal arrests, and an increasingly evident authoritarian drift, recalling that “when freedom is threatened anywhere, each of us is in danger.” This was a direct call to coordinate European democratic forces with those fighting at the borders of the Union.
From Catalonia, Aleix Sarri i Camargo — representative of Junts per Catalunya — brought the perspective of a centrist and pro-independence movement that sees a federal Europe as the true space for the protection of rights and democracy. “We know what it means to pay a price for democratic ideals,” he recalled, evoking the ongoing exile of the party’s president.
From the Baltic, Alekseï Jasin of Eesti 200 spoke of the existential challenge that Russia poses for Estonia and Europe, but also of the fragility of internal consensus within liberal parties. “Our task is to regain the trust of citizens and defend the freedom of Europe,” he said, calling for more cooperation among democrats to counter populism and mistrust.
With these seven parties—four new members and three guests—and with international contributions from India and Japan, the EDP is proving to be a political force that is growing, opening up, and strengthening. It is a broad and pluralistic network that shares values, challenges, and a common vision: a Europe that is fairer, more democratic, and closer to its citizens.
