One year ahead of the European elections, Left forces gathered in Brussels this week to discuss strategies for defending the rights of working people on Europe’s streets and in its institutions.

The meeting featured keynote speeches and panel discussions on the most critical issues facing the EU, including fighting for climate justice; advancing feminism and gender equality; challenging authoritarianism and defending democracy; promoting workers’ rights and tax justice; and resisting rapidly increasing inequality.

Left party leaders from over 20 countries emphasised the scale of challenges facing people across the continent in recent years, from far-right extremism to the devastating impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the energy crisis. However, they also expressed optimism about the potential for collective action and transformative change.

“We are living in a critical moment in history,” said Left group Co-President Martin Schirdewan opening the meeting. “But we also have the power to imagine and create a better future. That’s what this gathering is all about – bringing our movement together to share ideas and strategies for a different EU. With grassroots organising and hard work across borders, we can build a new Europe of, and for, people.”

The meeting heard calls for immediate EU action on several urgent issues, including increased pay and the expansion of workers’ rights, the rejection of war, the implementation of ambitious plans to fight climate change, the recognition and protection of the human rights of people on the move, and the need to rein in Big Tech.

“The Left must transform the current political and economic system through dialogue, collaboration, and action to create a better future for all”, Manon Aubry, Left Co-President. “Peace, equality, climate action, tax justice, and ethical politics that serve the people are not pipe dreams – they are realistic and we’ve shown in The Left over the last five years that with one foot on the streets and one in the institutions, we can drive meaningful change.”