Lula and Sanchez lead global summit to defend democracy against far-right populism.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez led a two-day summit in Barcelona, bringing together progressive leaders from across the globe to defend democratic institutions against the rising influence of far-right populism. The meeting, which included prominent figures from Mexico, South Africa, and Colombia, aimed to strengthen international cooperation and multilateralism as a counterweight to authoritarian trends. Leaders emphasized solidarity and economic collaboration while addressing shared global challenges, though they clarified the forum was not exclusively an anti-Trump initiative.