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The EPP Group: Architects of European Centre-Right Policy

A comprehensive examination of the European People's Party Group, its historical trajectory, core principles, and parliamentary representation.

Group Overview ๐Ÿ‘‡ View Representation ๐Ÿ‘ฅ

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Overview

Parliamentary Force

The European People's Party Group (EPP Group) is a significant political group within the European Parliament. It is composed primarily of deputies affiliated with the member parties of the European People's Party (EPP), the largest pan-European political party. The group may also include independent MEPs or representatives from unaffiliated national parties, reflecting a broad centre-right coalition.

Historical Significance

With roots tracing back to the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1953, the EPP Group is one of the oldest political groupings in the European Parliament. It has maintained its position as the largest group in the Parliament continuously since 1999, underscoring its enduring influence on European policy-making.

Political Alignment

The EPP Group represents a spectrum of centre-right political thought, encompassing Christian democratic, conservative, and liberal-conservative ideologies. This ideological breadth allows it to advocate for policies grounded in principles such as subsidiarity, solidarity, and the social market economy, often emphasizing European integration and traditional values.

Historical Evolution

Origins and Consolidation

The precursor to the current EPP Group, the Christian Democratic Group, was unofficially formed in September 1952 and officially established in June 1953. Initially comprising predominantly Christian democratic parties, the group's composition evolved significantly with the expansion of the European Community. To maintain relevance amidst growing diversity in member states' centre-right traditions, the EPP broadened its ideological remit to include liberal-conservative parties, facilitating the integration of new national delegations.

Name Changes and Alliances

Over the decades, the group has undergone several name changes to reflect its evolving membership and political strategy. It was known as the European People's Party (EPP) Group, then the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats (EPP-ED) Group, before reverting to the EPP Group. The integration of the European Democrats subgroup, including parties like the British Conservative Party, marked a significant expansion. However, ideological divergence, particularly concerning European integration, led to the departure of Eurosceptic members, culminating in the formation of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR) in 2009.

  • 1953: Formation of the Christian Democratic Group in the Common Assembly of the ECSC.
  • 1976: Official founding of the European People's Party (EPP) as a pan-continental political party.
  • 1999: Renamed EPP-ED Group; becomes the largest group in the European Parliament.
  • 2009: EPP-ED Group reverts to EPP Group following the departure of the European Democrats subgroup.
  • 2019: Fidesz party's membership suspended, later leaving the group.
  • 2024: Expansion with new parties, including TISZA from Hungary.

Electoral Performance

The EPP Group has consistently demonstrated strong electoral performance, securing the largest number of seats in the European Parliament since the 1999 elections. Its representation has fluctuated across electoral cycles, reflecting the shifting political landscape within the European Union member states. For instance, in the 2019 elections, the EPP secured 182 seats, and in the 2024 elections, it maintained its leading position with 188 seats.

Core Ideology and Values

Christian Democratic Roots

The EPP Group's foundation is deeply rooted in Christian democratic principles. This heritage informs its commitment to social justice, solidarity, subsidiarity, and the dignity of the human person. These values are often articulated through the concept of the social market economy, which seeks to balance economic freedom with social responsibility.

Conservative and Liberal Influences

Beyond its Christian democratic origins, the EPP Group embraces conservative and liberal-conservative traditions. This broader ideological base allows for the integration of diverse political viewpoints within the centre-right spectrum. The group's policy positions often reflect a pragmatic approach to governance, emphasizing fiscal responsibility, national identity within a European framework, and strong transatlantic relations.

The EPP manifesto typically outlines a vision for Europe characterized by:

  • Shared Heritage: Emphasis on common history, cultural heritage, and Judeo-Christian roots as defining elements of European identity.
  • Social Market Economy: Commitment to economic models that combine market principles with social cohesion and ethical considerations.
  • European Integration: Support for a strong and united Europe, fostering cooperation among member states.
  • Security and Stability: Focus on robust defense, border security, and economic stability.

Pro-European Stance

A defining characteristic of the EPP Group is its strong pro-European orientation. It advocates for deepening European integration and strengthening the role of the European Union in addressing global challenges. This commitment is evident in its support for key EU initiatives and its active participation in shaping EU policy across various domains.

Organizational Structure

Leadership and Presidency

The EPP Group is governed by a Presidency, which includes the Group Chair and up to ten Vice-Chairs, along with a Treasurer. This leadership body oversees the group's strategic direction and operational management. The current Chair, Manfred Weber, has led the group since 2014, guiding its activities and representing its interests within the European Parliament.

Secretariat and Administration

The day-to-day operations of the EPP Group are managed by its Secretariat, headed by the Secretary-General. This administrative body provides support services, coordinates policy work, and facilitates communication among MEPs and party members. The Group also maintains its own think-tank, the European Ideas Network (EIN), which fosters discussion and policy development from a centre-right perspective.

Membership Composition

The group comprises MEPs from various national parties across the EU member states. While the majority belong to the EPP party, associate members and MEPs from unaffiliated national parties may also be included. This diverse membership reflects the broad political base of the EPP Group.

Parliamentary Representation

10th European Parliament (2024-2029)

As of the 2024 elections, the EPP Group holds a commanding presence in the European Parliament. The table below illustrates the distribution of MEPs by country, national party, and European affiliation, providing a snapshot of the group's current composition.

The following table details the representation within the EPP Group for the 10th European Parliament:

State National party European party MEPs
Austria Austrian People's Party
ร–sterreichische Volkspartei (ร–VP)
EPP
5 / 20
Belgium Christian Democratic and Flemish
Christen-Democratisch & Vlaams (CD&V)
EPP
2 / 22
The Committed Ones
Les Engagรฉs (LE)
EPP
1 / 22
Bulgaria Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria
GERB
EPP
4 / 17
Union of Democratic Forces
SDS
EPP
1 / 17
Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria
DSB
EPP
1 / 17
Croatia Croatian Democratic Union
HDZ
EPP
6 / 12
Cyprus Democratic Rally
DISY
EPP
2 / 6
Czech Republic KDU-ฤŒSL
KDUโ€“ฤŒSL
EPP
2 / 21
TOP 09
TOP 09
EPP
2 / 21
Mayors and Independents
STAN
None
2 / 21
Denmark Conservative People's Party
KF
EPP
1 / 15
Estonia Fatherland
Isamaa
EPP
1 / 7
Finland National Coalition Party
KK
EPP
3 / 15
France The Republicans
LR
EPP
7 / 81
The Centrists
LC
None
1 / 81
Germany Christian Democratic Union
CDU
EPP
23 / 96
Christian Social Union in Bavaria
CSU
EPP
6 / 96
Ecological Democratic Party
ร–DP
None
1 / 96
Greece New Democracy
ND
EPP
7 / 21
Hungary Respect and Freedom Party
Tisza
None
7 / 21
Ireland Fine Gael
FG
EPP
5 / 14
Italy Forward Italy
FI
EPP
11 / 76
South Tyrolean People's Party
SVP
EPP
1 / 76
Latvia Unity
JV
EPP
2 / 9
Lithuania Homeland Union
TS-LKD
EPP
4 / 11
Luxembourg Christian Social People's Party
CSV
EPP
2 / 6
Malta Nationalist Party
PN
EPP
2 / 6
Netherlands Christian Democratic Appeal
CDA
EPP
3 / 29
Farmerโ€“Citizen Movement
BBB
None
2 / 29
Poland Civic Platform
PO
EPP
11 / 52
Polish People's Party
PSL
EPP
3 / 52
Independents
Magdalena Adamowicz, Janina Ochojska
Independent
2 / 52
Portugal Social Democratic Party
PPD/PSD
EPP
6 / 21
Democratic and Social Centre โ€“ People's Party
CDSโ€“PP
EPP
1 / 21
Romania National Liberal Party
PNL
EPP
10 / 33
Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania
RMDSZ / UDMR
EPP
2 / 33
People's Movement Party
PMP
EPP
2 / 33
Slovakia Christian Democratic Movement
KDH
EPP
2 / 14
Democrats
D
EPP
1 / 14
Slovakia
Slovensko
EPP
1 / 14
Slovenia Slovenian Democratic Party
SDS
EPP
2 / 8
New Slovenia โ€“ Christian Democrats
NSi
EPP
1 / 8
Slovenian People's Party
SLS
EPP
1 / 8
Spain People's Party
PP
EPP
22 / 61
Sweden Moderate Party
M
EPP
4 / 21
Christian Democrats
KD
EPP
1 / 21
The People's List
Folklistan
None
1 / 21
European Union Total
188 / 720

Historical Representation

The EPP Group has consistently been the largest political group in the European Parliament since 1999. Its size has varied across electoral terms, reflecting the political dynamics within member states. For example, during the 2014-2019 term (9th Parliament), the group comprised 219 MEPs, while the 2019-2024 term (10th Parliament) saw representation at 176 MEPs out of 705.

Historical MEP counts provide context for the group's evolving influence:

Country Names Names (English) MEPs 2009โ€“14 MEPs 2014โ€“19
 Austria ร–sterreichische Volkspartei Austrian People's Party 6 Decrease 5
 Belgium Dutch: Christen-Democratisch & Vlaams Christian Democratic and Flemish 3 Steady 2
French: Centre Dรฉmocrate Humaniste Humanist Democratic Centre 1 Steady 1
German: Christlich Soziale Partei Christian Social Party 1 Steady 1
 Bulgaria ะ“ั€ะฐะถะดะฐะฝะธ ะทะฐ ะตะฒั€ะพะฟะตะนัะบะพ ั€ะฐะทะฒะธั‚ะธะต ะฝะฐ ะ‘ัŠะปะณะฐั€ะธั
(Grazhdani za Evropeysko Razvitie na Balgariya)
Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria 5 Increase 6
ะกัŠัŽะท ะฝะฐ ะดะตะผะพะบั€ะฐั‚ะธั‡ะฝะธั‚ะต ัะธะปะธ
(Sayuz na Demokratichnite Sili)
Union of Democratic Forces 1 Decrease 0
ะ”ะตะผะพะบั€ะฐั‚ะธ ะทะฐ ัะธะปะฝะฐ ะ‘ัŠะปะณะฐั€ะธั
(Demokrati za Silna Balgariya)
Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria 1 Steady 1
 Croatia Hrvatska demokratska zajednica Croatian Democratic Union 4 Steady 4
Hrvatska seljaฤka stranka Croatian Peasant Party 1 Steady 1
 Cyprus Greek: ฮ”ฮทฮผฮฟฮบฯฮฑฯ„ฮนฮบฯŒฯ‚ ฮฃฯ…ฮฝฮฑฮณฮตฯฮผฯŒฯ‚
(Dimokratikรณs Sinayermรณs)
Democratic Rally 2 Decrease 1
 Czech Republic Kล™esลฅanskรก a demokratickรก unie โ€“ ฤŒeskoslovenskรก strana lidovรก Christian and Democratic Union โ€“ Czechoslovak People's Party 2 Increase 3
TOP 09 TOP 09 โ€” Increase 3
Starostovรฉ a nezรกvislรญ Mayors and Independents[52] โ€” Increase 1
 Denmark Det Konservative Folkeparti Conservative People's Party 1 Steady 1
 Estonia Erakond Isamaa Pro Patria 1 Steady 1
 Finland Kansallinen Kokoomus National Coalition Party 3 Steady 3
Suomen kristillisdemokraatit Christian Democrats 1 Decrease 0
 France Les Rรฉpublicains The Republicans 27 Decrease 18
Union des Dรฉmocrates et Indรฉpendants Union of Democrats and Independents 6 Decrease 0
โ€” Independent โ€” Increase 2
Germany Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands Christian Democratic Union 23 Steady 23
Christlich-Soziale Union in Bayern e.V. Christian Social Union in Bavaria 6 Steady 6
Greece Greek: ฮฮญฮฑ ฮ”ฮทฮผฮฟฮบฯฮฑฯ„ฮฏฮฑ
(Dimokratikรณs Sinayermรณs)
New Democracy 7 Decrease 6
Hungary Fidesz โ€“ Hungarian Civic Alliance
Fidesz โ€“ Magyar Polgรกri Szรถvetsรฉg (Fidesz)
Fidesz 10 Decrease 0
Ireland Fine Gael Fine Gael 4 Increase 5
Italy Forward Italy
Forza Italia (FI)
Forza Italia 14 Decrease 11
South Tyrolean People's Party
SVP
South Tyrolean People's Party 1 Steady 1
Latvia Unity
Vienotฤซba
Unity 2 Steady 2
Lithuania Homeland Union โ€“ Lithuanian Christian Democrats
TS-LKD
Homeland Union 4 Steady 4
Luxembourg Christian Social People's Party
CSV
Christian Social People's Party 1 Increase 2
Malta Nationalist Party
PN
Nationalist Party 2 Steady 2
Netherlands Christian Democratic Appeal
CDA
Christian Democratic Appeal 5 Decrease 3
Christian Union
CU
ECPM 1 Steady 1
Poland Civic Platform
PO
Civic Platform 15 Decrease 11
Polish People's Party
PSL
Polish People's Party 3 Steady 3
Independents Independent 0 Increase 2
Portugal Social Democratic Party
PSD
Social Democratic Party 8 Decrease 6
Democratic and Social Centre โ€“ People's Party
CDSโ€“PP
CDSโ€“PP 1 Steady 1
Romania National Liberal Party
PNL
National Liberal Party 10 Steady 10
Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania
RMDSZ / UDMR
Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania 2 Steady 2
People's Movement Party
PMP
People's Movement Party 2 Steady 2
Slovakia Christian Democratic Movement
KDH
Christian Democratic Movement 2 Steady 2
Democrats
D
Democrats 0 Increase 1
Slovakia
Slovensko
Slovakia 0 Increase 1
Slovenia Slovenian Democratic Party
SDS
Slovenian Democratic Party 2 Increase 2
New Slovenia โ€“ Christian Democrats
NSi
New Slovenia โ€“ Christian Democrats 1 Steady 1
Slovenian People's Party
SLS
Slovenian People's Party 1 Steady 1
Spain People's Party
PP
People's Party 24 Decrease 13
Sweden Moderate Party
M
Moderate Party 4 Steady 4
Christian Democrats
KD
Christian Democrats 1 Decrease 0
The People's List
Folklistan
The People's List 0 Increase 1
European Union Total
502 / 751

Leadership and Organization

Group Presidency

The EPP Group's leadership structure, known as the Presidency, is composed of the Group Chair and up to ten Vice-Chairs, including the Treasurer. This body is responsible for guiding the group's political agenda and administrative functions. The current leadership reflects a balance of experience and representation from various member states and political families within the EPP.

Name Position Sources
Manfred Weber Chair [49]
François-Xavier Bellamy Vice-chair [49]
Andrzej Halicki Vice-chair [49]
Jeroen Lenaers Vice-chair [49]
Dolors Montserrat Vice-chair [49]
Siegfried Mureศ™an Vice-chair [49]
Lรญdia Pereira Vice-chair [49]
Massimiliano Salini Vice-chair [49]
Tomas Tobรฉ Vice-chair [49]
Romana Tomc Vice-chair [49]
ลฝeljana Zovko Vice-chair [49]

Historical Leadership

The leadership of the EPP Group has been held by various prominent figures throughout its history, reflecting the party's evolution and the changing political landscape of Europe. Notable chairs include Maan Sassen (early years), Pierre Wigny, Alain Poher, Egon Klepsch, Leo Tindemans, Wilfried Martens, Hans-Gert Pรถttering, Joseph Daul, and the current chair, Manfred Weber.

Chair Took office Left office Country Party
Maan Sassen 1953 1958 Netherlands Catholic People's Party
Pierre Wigny 1958 1958 Belgium Christian Social Party
Alain Poher 1958 1966 France Popular Republican Movement
Joseph Illerhaus 1966 1969 West Germany Christian Democratic Union
Hans Lรผcker 1969 1975 West Germany Christian Democratic Union
Alfred Bertrand 1975 1977 Belgium Christian People's Party
Egon Klepsch 1977 1984 West Germany / Germany Christian Democratic Union
Paolo Barbi 1982 1984 Italy Christian Democracy
Leo Tindemans 1992 1994 Belgium Christian People's Party
Wilfried Martens 1994 1999 Belgium Christian People's Party
Hans-Gert Pรถttering 1999 2007 Germany Christian Democratic Union
Joseph Daul 2007 2014 France Union for a Popular Movement
Manfred Weber 2014 Present Germany Christian Social Union

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References

References

  1.  European Parliament archive entry for Hans-Gert Pรƒยถttering (incl. Membership)
  2.  European Parliament archive entry for Joseph Daul (incl. Membership)
  3.  European Parliament archive entry for Egon Klepsch (incl. Membership)
  4.  Fidesz MEPs remain in the EPP for now Retrieved 27 January 2020.
A full list of references for this article are available at the European People's Party Group Wikipedia page

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Important Notice Regarding Political Information

This page provides an overview of the European People's Party Group (EPP Group) in the European Parliament, generated by an AI based on publicly available data from Wikipedia. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only.

This is not political commentary or endorsement. The information presented does not constitute professional political analysis, advice, or an endorsement of any political party or ideology. Users should consult official sources and conduct their own research for a complete understanding of political matters.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or actions taken based on the information provided herein. Political landscapes are dynamic, and data may not always reflect the most current situation.