A world in the balance. We are more determined than ever.
The last two months have brought us an increasingly tense international scenario. Donald Trump has announced new tariffs, once again fanning the flames of protectionism and risking pushing the global economy down a dangerous path. As if that were not enough, we have witnessed a shameful spectacle at the White House: a public row with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in front of the cameras, showing no respect for either the institutions or the tragedy that the Ukrainian people are experiencing.
In this climate, the role of European leadership has become even more crucial. Among European leaders, Emmanuel Macron has stood out, showing firmness and vision, courageously defending democratic values, international law, and the European project. We can only be proud to have him in our political family, just as strong and clear were the words of our President François Bayrou, French Prime Minister, who denounced without hesitation the risks that the world is running with these reckless choices by our American ally.
Meanwhile, the world has lost a figure of peace and dialogue: Pope Francis. His death leaves a deep void, just as—on the day of his funeral—faint hopes for a diplomatic solution to the war in Ukraine are reemerging. We strongly hope that this solution will be just and lasting. However, we cannot close our eyes to what is happening in the United States. The deportation of young children, attacks on judges, and the deterioration of the rule of law in what should be the beacon of Western democracies are alarming signs. We are friends and allies of the United States, yes. But precisely for this reason, we cannot remain silent when democratic principles are called into question, and precisely for this reason, we feel even closer today to the US democratic leadership, which is engaged every day in a battle for democracy.
A new friend in Greece: the Movement for Democracy joins the EDP.
In April, we officially welcomed the Movement for Democracy into the European Democratic Party family. This new Greek party, founded by Stefanos Kassellakis, was also created with the aim of defending truth, justice, and the rule of law in a country severely tested by a right-wing government that has at times been illiberal. It is a young, courageous, centrist and strongly pro-European project, and we are proud to support it, so much so that our Secretary General Sandro Gozi and our Basque MEP Oihane Agirregoitia traveled to Athens on April 11 for a debate on the rule of law in Greece, together with friends from the Movement for Democracy and its President Stefanos Kassellakis.
Paris calls: democracy and freedom at the center of the debate.
On March 24, we organized the Democracy and Liberties Summit in Paris with our friends from Renew Europe and Renaissance, a crucial event at a historic moment when fundamental freedoms are under threat not only in autocracies but also, unfortunately, in established democracies. The EDP made its voice heard in defense of civil rights, individual freedoms, respect for international law, and the independence of the judiciary: values that must remain non-negotiable for anyone who believes in Europe. Our President, François Bayrou, opened the summit with an inspiring speech, uniting political forces from across Europe to defend democratic institutions together. Delegations from many of our national parties were also present in Paris.
San Sebastián and Las Palmas: the EDP stands close to Europe’s regions.
In the last two months, we have had the pleasure of being guests at two important congresses of our Spanish allies. On March 29 and 30, in San Sebastián, we participated in the congress of the EAJ-PNV, the Basque party that has always embodied the idea of a Europe that is strong in its local identities but projected towards a common future. The congress also elected a new president, Aitor Esteban, who replaces Andoni Ortuzar. We took the opportunity to publicly thank Andoni, who was also our vice president for many years.
The following weekend, we flew to Las Palmas, in the Canary Islands, for the congress of the Coalición Canaria. In a Europe that truly wants to be united, its most distant regions must feel like protagonists, not peripheral. We also went to Gran Canaria on April 25 and 26 for an initiative on immigration organized with our friends from Coalición Canaria, which was attended by our Secretary General Sandro Gozi and our Basque MEP Oihane Agirregoitia: the Canary Islands, a gateway for many immigrants from Africa, need strong responses from Europe, and we will be their megaphone in Brussels.
Italy believes in Europe: Rome and Verona lead the way.
In Italy, the EDP has strongly supported two strategic initiatives. In Rome, on April 3, with the conference “L’Europa Indispensabile” (The Indispensable Europe), we promoted dialogue between Catholic democrats and reformists, reaffirming that Europe is not just an economic project, but a great political project of freedom, peace, and progress.
On April 5 in Verona, we relaunched the idea of a United States of Europe, thanks in part to the strong and passionate speech by Sandro Gozi. This is not an abstract dream: it is a concrete necessity in order to count in a changing world.
There are times when being moderate means being radical in the defense of values.
This is one of those times. And we have no intention of lowering our voices.
See you next time!
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