SPANISH prime minister Pedro Sanchez is set to meet New York mayor Zohran Mamdani for the first time as the progressive leaders come together to discuss building an economy ‘for the majority.’
Government sources have told Spanish media the pair will appear at a 90-minute economic forum at Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York mayors, on September 23.
The panel, titled ‘Building an economy for the majority,’ marks the first face-to-face meeting between Sanchez and Mamdani, who have both won praise from the international left for their criticism of US President Donald Trump and his policies.
The forum is expected to focus on economic policies aimed at improving living standards for ordinary people, according to Spanish media reports.
It comes as Sanchez travels to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, with its high-level meetings beginning on September 22.
The Spanish PM is due to take part in the gathering alongside world leaders from across the globe.
Mamdani, 34, has rapidly become one of the most recognisable figures on the American left since being elected New York mayor in 2025.
The openly socialist politician has been a fierce critic of Trump and campaigned heavily on affordable housing and cheaper basic goods.
His victory was hailed by progressives in Europe and the US as a major boost for the left.
His administration has since put a renewed focus on affordability and workers’ rights.
Earlier this month, Mamdani signed an executive order creating a municipal Worker Power office – a new City Hall department intended to help workers organise and have a greater say over their rights in the workplace.
Sanchez, who leads Spain’s socialist party (PSOE), has likewise repeatedly clashed with Trump since the Republican returned to the White House.
The Spanish PM has faced particular criticism from the US President over Madrid’s refusal to meet demands for a major increase in defence spending.
Both Sanchez and Mamdani have also strongly condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, describing them as ‘genocide’.
The pair have rejected calls from Trump and his administration for countries to spend more on their militaries.
Sanchez publicly backed Mamdani after his election victory, describing it as evidence that the left could still ‘inspire hope’.
Spanish left-wing parties also celebrated the result as a rare success for progressives after a series of electoral setbacks on both sides of the Atlantic.
The two politicians already appeared at the same progressive event earlier this year when Mamdani joined via videolink a summit hosted by Sanchez in Barcelona.
Sanchez’s trip to New York is poised to become his first major international appearance of the new political season.
The meeting comes as his government continues to face political challenges at home, including the unresolved crisis in Ceuta following the mass influx of migrants into the Spanish North African enclave this summer.
Click here to read more Politics News from The Olive Press.
