International Secretaries Meeting in Vienna

Representatives and international secretaries of social democratic and progressive parties from across the Western Balkans gathered in Vienna from 4–6 May for a regional dialogue focused on strengthening cooperation, exchanging political perspectives, and exploring avenues for closer coordination among progressive actors in the region.

The meeting, organized by FES Serbia in cooperation with Dialogue Southeast Europe and the Regional Project Democracy for the Future in Vienna, brought together representatives from political parties from across the Western Balkans. 

Held under the theme of strengthening cooperation, the dialogue provided space for open exchanges on the political developments shaping the region and Europe more broadly. Discussions focused on the challenges facing progressive politics today, including shrinking democratic space, the rise of far-right and populist narratives, declining trust in democratic institutions, and the broader geopolitical shifts influencing the region. The program combined expert inputs, strategic discussions, and peer exchanges among participants. 

Sessions addressed key challenges to democracy, the impact of geopolitical developments on Europe, the foreign policy priorities of social-democratic parties in the Western Balkans, and approaches to countering authoritarian and far-right narratives. A dedicated workshop also focused on possibilities for stronger regional coordination in the Western Balkans. An important part of the program was the exchange with SPÖ Austria International Secretary Thomas Zehetner, which provided an opportunity to discuss the current challenges and perspectives of social democracy across Europe and the importance of transnational cooperation between progressive political actors.

The meeting further enabled valuable exchanges between representatives from EU Member States and countries aspiring to EU membership, contributing to stronger regional dialogue and a shared reflection on democratic and social challenges across the continent.

By creating a space for strategic exchange and cooperation, the initiative reaffirmed the importance of regional progressive networks and continued dialogue in strengthening democratic resilience and advancing social democratic perspectives in the Western Balkans and beyond.