European Left Takes Its Message of Peace Across Europe
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BRUSSELS, 2 SEPTEMBER 2026
European Left to Campaign Against EU Militarization at September Festivals Across Europe
The European Left (EL) will take part in a series of major party and press festivals and political events across Europe from 5 to 27 September, bringing its message of peace, disarmament, international solidarity and opposition to EU militarization to audiences in Italy, Austria, France, Belgium and Spain, with around one million people expected to attend events organized by its member and partner parties.
The EL will be represented at the festivals with information stands, campaign activities and delegations, while its President, Walter Baier, will attend and speak at events throughout the month.
The European Left will focus its political message on opposition to the militarization and rearmament of the European Union, alongside solidarity with Palestine and Cuba.
“Europe does not need an arms race. It needs investment in people, public services, social justice, and peace. At a time when military spending is being increased across the continent, we are mobilizing to defend a different future—one based on solidarity, cooperation, and collective security,” said Walter Baier, President of the Party of the European Left.
The festivals bring together political activists, trade unionists, civil society organizations and members of the public and include some of the largest annual gatherings of the European left.
European Left – September Programme Highlights
MILAN, ITALY | 5 SEPTEMBERheir Wars
Against Rearmament, for a Europe of Peace
The European Left’s September programme begins in Milan on Saturday, 5 September at 18:30 with Contro il Riarmo, per un’Europa di Pace (“Against Rearmament, for a Europe of Peace”).
Speakers: Jeremy Corbyn; Walter Baier; Daniela Padoan; Vincenzo Grego; and Maurizio Acerbo. Moderated by Anna Camposampiero.
Venue: Parco delle Cascine di Chiesa Rossa, Via San Domenico Savio 3, Milan.
VIENNA, AUSTRIA | 5–6 SEPTEMBER
Volksstimmefest
European Left President Walter Baier will speak on the main stage of the Volksstimmefest on Sunday, 6 September at 20:00.
The annual festival brings together political debate, culture and organizations of the Austrian and European left.
Venue: Jesuitenwiese, Prater, Vienna
Website: www.volksstimmefest.at
PARIS, FRANCE | 11–13 SEPTEMBER
Fête de l’Humanité
The European Left will have an information stand at Fête de l’Humanité, one of the largest annual gatherings of the European left. The EL stand will be officially inaugurated on Friday, 11 September at 17:00.
On Friday at 20:30, Walter Baier will participate in an evening of solidarity with Palestine at the Village du Monde (Espace débat), where he will address the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
On Saturday, 12 September at 18:30, Hélène Bidard, Vice-President of the European Left, will participate in the debate “87 Seconds Before the Apocalypse: Why Doesn’t the Nuclear Threat Stop the Arms Race?” at the Village du Monde.
At 20:00, Anna Camposampiero (EL delegation, PRC, Italy) will participate in a debate on combating the international far right.
Venue: Base 217, Le Plessis-Pâté, France
Website: www.fete.humanite.fr
OSTEND, BELGIUM | 13 SEPTEMBER
ManiFiesta
European Left President Walter Baier will participate in the debate “Europe Against Militarization” at ManiFiesta, from 13:00 to 14:45 at CinéFiesta Left 1.
Against the backdrop of plans for sharply increased military expenditure across Europe and growing pressure on social budgets, the debate will address the development of a European movement against militarization and for peace and social justice. Participants will discuss alternatives for European security, including how Europe can move away from its strategic dependence on the United States without replacing it with a new European imperialism.
Speakers: Walter Baier (President of the European Left); Lea Reisner (Die Linke, Germany); Declan Kearney (Sinn Féin, Northern Ireland); Marc Botenga (MEP, PTB-PVDA, Belgium); and Rebecca Trixa (Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung, Belgium).
Venue: Wellington Hippodrome, Ostend
Website: www.manifiesta.be
RIVAS-VACIAMADRID, SPAIN | 25 SEPTEMBER
Fiesta del PCE
The European Left will conclude its September festival programme at the Fiesta del PCE in Rivas-Vaciamadrid.
On Saturday, 26 September, Walter Baier is scheduled to participate in a discussion on peace and alternatives for European security, together with Willy Meyer (Spain), Anna Camposampiero (Italy), Vincent Boulet (France) and Marta Morán (Spain).
Baier will also join other international guests and delegates in supporting and participating in the festival’s main rally on Saturday at 19:30.
Venue: Recinto Ferial and Auditorio Miguel Ríos, Rivas-Vaciamadrid
Website: www.fiesta.pce.es
The European Left’s participation in these events forms part of its broader mobilization across Europe against austerity and militarization and for peace, solidarity and social justice.
More information on the European Left festival tour:
www.european-left.org/meet-the-european-left-on-our-festival-tour/
FOR DOWNLOAD
PRESS RELEASE: European Left to Campaign Against EU Militarization at September Festivals Across Europe, click here