EDS in Madrid: Latin America's Centre-Right Rising & New Ties with NNGG
On 15–16 July, EDS Chairman Francesco Sismondini, Secretary General Vladimir Kljajic and Vice-Chairman Filip Gajic represented our organisation at the EPP Libertas Forum in Madrid.
The Forum opened with address by EPP President Manfred Weber, PP Spain President Alberto Núñez Feijóo, and EPP Secretary General Dolors Montserrat.
The event brought the EPP family together with centre-right leaders from across Latin America and it was an excellent two days. We had the opportunity to connect with representatives of sister parties from the region and to hear first-hand about the challenges they face: defending democratic institutions, countering polarisation and disinformation, and rebuilding trust in politics.
One message came through loud and clear: Latin America is turning to the centre-right and leaving socialism behind, from Argentina and Ecuador to Bolivia, Chile and Peru. We are especially optimistic about Venezuela. Listening to María Corina Machado in Madrid, a democratic transition finally feels within reach and Europe is there to help, not only politically but in very practical ways. Following the recent earthquakes in Venezuela, the EU activated its Civil Protection Mechanism, with Member States deploying emergency assistance on the ground.
On the margins of the Forum, we also visited the Partido Popular headquarters, home to the office of the NNGG President, where we met Ignacio Dancausa, the newly elected President of NNGG, our member organisation in Spain, together with NNGG's Secretary General and International Secretary. We discussed the continuation of our cooperation, joint campaigns, and the shared priorities of EDS and NNGG for the year ahead, an especially important one, with Spain heading to the polls next year. We wished our friends at NNGG every success in the work ahead!
And this is only the beginning. EDS is planning a dedicated forum bringing together young people from Latin America and the EU the next generation of the transatlantic centre-right. Stay tuned!
