From 3 to 5 October 2025, the European Democratic Party will be at Stazione Leopolda with a highly popular stand and the panel discussion “Leaders or followers, the European dilemma” with Sandro Gozi and Manuel Valls, moderated by Enrico Borghi.
From 3 to 5 October 2025, at the Stazione Leopolda in Florence, the European Democratic Party brought dialogue and proposals to the event organised for many years by Italia Viva and its leader Matteo Renzi. As always, the EDP stand was very popular and well attended: there was a lot of curiosity, many questions about Europe, and lots of interaction with Italia Viva activists and with the Italian reformist and centrist world. For the EDP, the European force of Renew, the Leopolda is a place for concrete discussion on growth, social inclusion, the rule of law and civil rights.
On the morning of 4 October, the EDP organised a debate on stage entitled “Leaders or followers, the European dilemma”, with Sandro Gozi, secretary-general of the EDP and MEP for Renew Europe, and Manuel Valls, former French prime minister, moderated by Enrico Borghi, vice-president of Italia Viva and president of the IED. The meeting questioned the Union’s ability to lead global processes in a context marked by wars, technological transformations and pressures on democratic systems.
Valls called for an urgent common response at European level to the major challenges. He said: ‘First, I am convinced that the answer to all the big problems is Europe.’ He added: ‘Obviously, we need more sovereignty or federalism.’ This line is consistent with the EDP’s commitment to a Europe that can play a leading role in defence, migration, climate, research and innovation, while strengthening the quality of liberal democracy.
Gozi linked the EU’s strategic stance to clear and achievable institutional reforms, starting with the need to overcome vetoes and slow decision-making with common tools and investments, and to strengthen the pan-European political space. He reiterated that ‘Europe today must become a power,’ pointing to the need for truly competitive European parties and transnational lists to give more strength and responsibility to the mandate of citizens.
The three days in Florence confirmed the EDP’s role as a reformist force within Renew: an actor that builds alliances, develops proposals and measures every choice against the interests of European citizens. Based on the feedback gathered at the stand and on stage, the EDP’s next steps will focus on common defence, sustainable competitiveness and EU reforms for a more effective Europe that is closer to its citizens.
