The Democratic Pulse - June-September 2026
Welcome to the latest edition of the European Democrats' newsletter. The international situation remains extremely complex, Europe faces a series of crucial elections, from France to Italy and Spain, and the need to make our Union more efficient, more democratic and more sovereign is increasingly evident. Yet Europe's power of attraction is stronger than ever. Mark Carney's address to the European Parliament on 17 September showed it, and so did the idea, raised early on by our MEP Joachim Streit, of bringing Canada closer to the Union, which Sandro Gozi takes forward in Democrats Review. It shows how much the world's democracies need to stand together. In this context, our democratic family keeps growing, becoming stronger and more visible. It has launched a new magazine and is preparing to gather in Athens for its annual Congress.
Athens, 23–24 October: The Final Countdown
Our 2026 Congress will be held in Athens, the cradle of democracy, with our 25 member parties, our 11 MEPs and guests from across Europe and beyond. On this occasion, we will launch a Global Alliance of Democrats to combat authoritarianism, disinformation and foreign interference. "Democracy is not only a legacy we inherit; it is a responsibility we must renew every day," said Sandro Gozi, Secretary-General of the EDP.
Public session, Saturday 24 October, The Ilisian Hotel: → Register here
Democrats Review is out
On 10 September, the EDP and the Institute of European Democrats (IED) launched Democrats Review, a magazine dedicated to political ideas and democratic debate. It is open to contributions from all those who, whether politicians or not, elected or not, firmly believe in democracy and the rule of law. "Democracy cannot live only at the pace of the feed," said Sandro Gozi. According to IED President Enrico Borghi, the magazine was created "to connect all those who believe that democracy is essential to building a fairer, more modern and more cohesive Europe". The first issue opens with an editorial by our President, François Bayrou. It also features a contribution written from prison by Ekrem İmamoğlu, as well as pieces by Thomas L. Friedman, María Corina Machado, Marjana Koçeku and Srđan Cvijić. → democratsreview.eu
Our family is growing
In June, Pina Picierno, Vice-President of the European Parliament, joined the EDP and announced a new pro-European project, Spazio Pubblico. On 2 October, Spazio Pubblico became a member party of the EDP. "Pro-Europeans must organise, join forces and offer citizens a proposal that can truly change things," said Sandro Gozi. In August, we also welcomed Junts per Catalunya.
From Provence to Florence
From 18 to 20 September, our Journées de l'Europe brought ten workshops to L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, alongside the MoDem's annual gathering. "We must move from veto to action, from dependence to sovereignty," said Sandro Gozi. On 3 October, Sandro and Enrico Borghi took to the main stage of the Leopolda in Florence, speaking about housing, young people and Ukraine. → Provence · → Leopolda
Defending the rule of law
On Albania, we asked Meta for an explanation of the suspension of opposition accounts, brought the case to the European Commission and urged Ursula von der Leyen to question Edi Rama. On Serbia, we welcomed the European Parliament's resolution and launched a campaign for the diaspora vote: "Serbian citizens abroad are not second-class voters." On Brazil, we were clear: "Brazilian democracy is not for sale." On Turkey and the trial of Ekrem İmamoğlu: "This is not justice. This is political persecution." In Brussels, our MEPs Yvan Verougstraete, Pina Picierno and Sandro Gozi took part in a sit-in in support of the Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi, sentenced to 74 lashes for singing without a hijab. During the Ceuta crisis, we reminded everyone that the border at Ceuta is the border of the entire European Union.
The outermost regions at the heart of Europe
From Martinique to Tenerife with Coalición Canaria, and to Madeira with JPP, the EDP reiterated its call: these regions are "ultra-central" to Europe's global role. Sandro Gozi will be Renew Europe's shadow rapporteur on Parliament's report on the EU's new strategy for these regions, which requires dedicated resources in the next EU budget. → Find out more
Also this season
We organised an event on housing in Cork with MEP Ciarán Mullooly and the NextGen Europa workshop in Ludwigsburg with Engin Eroglu, who also called for a Europe that responds to China with strength, not rhetoric. In Rotterdam, with 50PLUS, we discussed an age-friendly Europe. In Ventotene, the EDP took part in the Conference for Freedom and Democracy promoted by Pina Picierno. And coming up in November, MEP Christine Singer will host our Bioeconomy Forum in Bavaria.
See you in Athens. Register for the public session
