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"Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned that democracy 'cannot be taken for granted' as leaders gathered in Barcelona on Saturday for the IV Meeting in Defence of Democracy. "We see attacks on the multilateral system, one attempt after another to challenge the rules of international law and a dangerous normalisation of the use of force," Sanchez warned. The Prime Minister said that a rise in inequality, disinformation and declining trust in governments are weakening democratic systems, representing a major risk. "Our response cannot be merely defensive," he stressed. "We have to propose, we have to lead, we have to demonstrate that democracy is not only defended, but it is strengthened and perfected." He called for renewed multilateralism based on rules, cooperation and strong institutions, while acknowledging that the United Nations needs reform, suggesting it should be modernised and potentially led by a woman to improve 'credibility.' "The second priority is digital governance. [...] Technology can undoubtedly be a tool for progress, but it does not govern itself, nor do all the interests involved point in the same direction," Sanchez added. "Without rules, technology divides us and makes us more dependent. Therefore, we cannot accept that disinformation is influencing our societies as it is, nor the public conversation in our countries," he continued. The fourth edition of the IV Meeting in Defence of Democracy is being held alongside the first-ever Global Progressive Mobilisation (GPM) in Barcelona, bringing together around 3,000 participants and multiple world leaders in a joint two-part summit."
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