European People's Party - Wikipedia European People's Party From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to navigation Jump to search European political party This article is about the political party. For the parliamentary group, see European People's Party group. European People's Party President Donald Tusk (PL) Secretary-General Antonio López-Istúriz White MEP (ES) Group leader Manfred Weber MEP (DE) Founded 8 July 1976 (1976-07-08) Headquarters Rue du Commerce/Handelsstraat 10, 1000 – Brussels, Belgium (Europe) Think tank Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies Robert Schuman Institute Student wing European Democrat Students Youth wing Youth of the European People's Party Women's wing Women of the European People's Party Ideology Christian democracy Conservatism Liberal conservatism Pro-Europeanism[1] Political position Centre-right International affiliation Centrist Democrat International[2] International Democrat Union[3] European Parliament group European People's Party Colours   Blue European Parliament 187 / 705 European Council 11 / 27 European Commission 10 / 27 European Lower Houses 2,199 / 9,874 European Upper Houses 569 / 2,714 Website www.epp.eu Politics of European Union Political parties Elections The European People's Party is a European political party with Christian-democratic,[4] conservative[5][6] and liberal-conservative[4] member parties. A transnational organisation, it is composed of other political parties. Founded by primarily Christian-democratic parties in 1976, it has since broadened its membership to include liberal-conservative parties and parties with other centre-right political perspectives.[6][7][8][9][10] On 20 November 2019 the party elected as its President the former Prime Minister of Poland and President of the European Council, Donald Tusk.[11] The EPP has been the largest party in the European Parliament since 1999 and in the European Council since 2002. It is also the largest party in the current European Commission. The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen is from the EPP. Many of the founding fathers of the European Union were also from parties that later formed the EPP. Outside the EU the party also controls a majority in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The EPP includes major centre-right parties such as the CDU/CSU of Germany, The Republicans of France, CD&V of Belgium, PNL of Romania, Fine Gael of Ireland, National Coalition Party of Finland, New Democracy of Greece, Forza Italia of Italy, the People's Party (PP) of Spain, the Civic Platform of Poland and the Social Democratic Party of Portugal, but also the right-wing populist Fidesz of Hungary. Contents 1 History 2 Platform and manifesto 2.1 Political manifesto and platform 2.2 Electoral manifesto 2.3 The Fidesz crisis 3 Governance 3.1 Presidency 3.2 Political Assembly 3.3 Congress 4 Activities within the party 4.1 Summit 4.2 Ministerial meetings 4.3 Other activities 5 Activities within European institutions 5.1 Overview of the European institutions 5.2 European Commission 5.3 European Parliament 5.4 European Council 5.5 National legislatures 6 Activities beyond the European Union 6.1 In third countries 6.2 In the Council of Europe 6.3 In the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 6.4 In the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 6.5 Relations with the United States 6.6 Global networks 7 Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies 8 EPP associations 8.1 Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Europe (SME Europe) 8.2 European Democrat Students 8.3 European Seniors' Union 8.4 European Union of Christian Democratic Workers 8.5 Women of the European People’s Party 8.6 Youth of the European People’s Party 9 Membership 9.1 Full member parties 9.2 Suspended members 9.3 Associate members 9.4 Observer members 9.5 Former members 10 See also 11 References 12 Bibliography 13 External links History[edit] Logo of European People's Party from 2005 to 2015 From left to right:Tindemans, Bukman and Santer; former presidents of the EPP According to its website, the EPP is "the family of the political centre-right, whose roots run deep in the history and civilisation of the European continent, and [which] has pioneered the European project from its inception".[12] The EPP was founded in Luxembourg on 8 July 1976 on the initiative of Jean Seitlinger; Leo Tindemans, then Prime Minister of Belgium, who became the first President of the EPP; and Wilfried Martens, who later became both President of the EPP and Prime Minister of Belgium. It had been preceded by the Secretariat International des partis démocratiques d'inspiration chrétienne, founded in 1925,[13] the Nouvelles Equipes Internationales, founded in 1946[14] (or 1948),[13] and the European Union of Christian Democrats, founded in 1965.[14] In the late 1990s the Finnish politician Sauli Niinistö negotiated the merger of the European Democrat Union (EDU), of which he was President, into the EPP. In October 2002 the EDU ceased its activities after being formally absorbed by the EPP at a special event in Estoril, Portugal. In recognition of his efforts Niinistö was elected Honorary President of the EPP the same year. The EPP has had six Presidents: No. Image Name Tenure Party Member state 1 Leo Tindemans (1922–2014) 1976–1985 CD&V Belgium 2 Piet Bukman (born 1934) 1985–1987 CDA Netherlands 3 Jacques Santer (born 1937) 1987–1990 CSV Luxembourg 4 Wilfried Martens (1936–2013) 1990–2013 [Died] CD&V Belgium 5 Joseph Daul (born 1947) 2013–2019 The Republicans France 6 Donald Tusk (born 1957) 2019– Civic Platform Poland Platform and manifesto[edit] Leo Varadkar, Angela Merkel and Jean-Claude Juncker at an EPP summit in June 2018 Political manifesto and platform[edit] During its Congress in Bucharest in 2012 the EPP updated its political platform after 20 years (since its Congress in Athens in 1992) and approved a political manifesto in which it summarised its main values and policies. The manifesto highlights: Freedom as a central human right, coupled with responsibility Respect for traditions and associations Solidarity to help those in need, who in turn should also make an effort to improve their situation Ensuring solid public finances Preserving a healthy environment Subsidiarity Pluralist democracy and a social market economy The manifesto also describes the EPP's priorities for the EU, including: European Political Union Direct election of the President of the European Commission Completion of the European Single Market Promotion of the family, improvements in education and health Strengthening of the common immigration and asylum policy, and integrating immigrants Continuation of enlargement of the EU, enhancement of the European Neighbourhood Policy and special relationship frameworks for countries that cannot, or do not want to, join the EU Defining a true common EU energy policy Strengthening European political parties Electoral manifesto[edit] As a central part of its campaign for the European elections in 2009 the EPP approved its election manifesto at its Congress in Warsaw in April that year. The manifesto called for: Creation of new jobs, continuing reforms and investment in education, lifelong learning, and employment in order to create opportunities for everyone. Avoidance of protectionism, and coordination of fiscal and monetary policies. Increased transparency and surveillance in financial markets. Making Europe the market leader in green technology. Increasing the share of renewable energy to at least 20 per cent of the energy mix by 2020.;. Family-friendly flexibility for working parents, better child care and housing, family-friendly fiscal policies, encouragement of parental leave. A new strategy to attract skilled workers from the rest of the world to make Europe's economy more competitive, more dynamic and more knowledge-driven. At its Congress in Warsaw in 2009 the EPP endorsed Barroso for a second term as President of the Commission. The Fidesz crisis[edit] Controversy over the undermining of rule of law in Hungary by ruling party Fidesz and its leader Viktor Orbán caused a split in the EPP in the run-up of the 2019 European Parliament election.[15] On one hand the EPP had been reluctant for years to address Fidesz's stance against the rule of law, expressed by the Article 7 proceedings of the European Parliament. On the other hand, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, a prominent EPP-member, stated "I believe his [Fidesz’s] place is not in the European People’s Party".[16] Orbán's campaigns targeting billionaire George Soros[17] and Jean-Claude Juncker[18] carried wide reverberations for Europe questioning the EPP's effort to install its lead candidate Manfred Weber as the next Commission president.[19] After years of deferring a decision about the Fidesz issue,[20] the EPP was eventually compelled to address the problem two months before the 2019 European elections, as 13 outraged member parties requested the Hungarian party's exclusion from the EPP due to its billboard campaign featuring Jean-Claude Juncker. 190 of the 193 EPP delegates decided on 20 March 2019 to partially suspend Fidesz membership. According to this, Fidesz is "until further notice" excluded from EPP meetings and internal elections, but remains in the European People's Party group of the European Parliament. Fidesz has not delivered on its earlier promise to leave the EPP in case of a penalty.[21] In February 2020 the EPP extended the suspension of Fidesz indefinitely.[22] On 2 April 2020 thirteen parties within the EPP have issued a joint statement aimed at Donald Tusk, asking him to expunge Fidesz from the party.[23] Three days prior to this, the Hungarian parliament passed a law, declaring a state of emergency within Hungary for an indefinite time period and granting Prime Minister Viktor Orbán the right to rule by decree. [24] Governance[edit] The EPP operates as an international non-profit association under Belgian law according to its by-laws, the Statutes of the European People's Party (Statuts du Parti Populaire Européen), originally adopted 29 April 1976. Presidency[edit] The Presidency is the executive body of the party. It decides on the general political guidelines of the EPP and presides over its Political Assembly. The Presidency is composed of the President, ten Vice-Presidents, the Honorary Presidents, the Secretary General and the Treasurer. The Chairperson of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, the Presidents of the Commission, the Parliament and the Council, and the High Representative (if they are a member of an EPP member party) are all ex officio Vice-Presidents. President of the EPP Donald Tusk As of November 2019 the Presidency[25] of the EPP is (Vice Presidents in the order of votes received at the EPP Congress in Zagreb): Donald Tusk – President (former Prime Minister and President of the European Council) Antonio Lopez-Isturiz White – Secretary General (MEP) Mariya Gabriel – Vice President (EU Commissioner) David McAllister – Vice President (MEP, former Minister-President) Helen McEntee – Vice President (Minister) Johannes Hahn – Vice President (EU Commissioner) Esther de Lange – Vice President (MEP) Antonio Tajani – Vice President (MEP, former European Parliament President, former Commission Vice President) Siegfried Mureșan – Vice President (MEP) Franck Proust – Vice President (former MEP) Paulo Rangel – Vice President (MEP) Petteri Orpo – Vice President (Former leader of Kokoomus, former Prime Minister) Christian Schmidt – Treasurer (MP, former Minister) Ursula von der Leyen – Ex officio Vice-President (President of the European Commission) Manfred Weber – Ex officio Vice-President (Chairperson of the EPP Group in European Parliament) Sauli Niinistö – Honorary President (President of Finland) Political Assembly[edit] The Political Assembly defines the political positions of the EPP between Congresses, and decides on membership applications, political guidelines and the budget. The Political Assembly is composed of designated delegates from EPP member parties, associated parties, member associations and other affiliated groups. The Political Assembly meets at least three times a year. Congress[edit] The Congress is the highest decision-making body of the EPP. It is composed of delegates from member parties, EPP associations, EPP Group MEPs, the EPP Presidency, national heads of party and government, and European Commissioners who belong to a member party, with the numbers of delegates being weighted according to the EPP's share of MEPs, and individual delegates being elected by member parties according to member parties' rules.[26] Under the EPP's statutes the Congress must meet once every three years, but it also meets normally during the years of elections for the European Parliament (every five years), and extraordinary Congresses have also been summoned. The Congress elects the EPP Presidency every three years, decides on the main policy documents and electoral programmes, and provides a platform for the EPP's heads of government and party leaders. Activities within the party[edit] Summit[edit] EPP leaders meet for the EPP Summit a few hours before each meeting of the European Council in order to formulate common positions. Invitations are sent by the EPP President and attendees include, besides the members of the EPP's Presidency, all Presidents and Prime Ministers who are members of the European Council and belong to the EPP; the Presidents of the European Parliament, the European Commission and the European Council, as well as the High Representative for Foreign Affairs, provided that they belong to the EPP; Deputy Prime Ministers or other ministers in those cases where the Prime Minister of a country does not belong to an EPP member party; and, where no EPP member party is part of a government, the leaders of the main EPP opposition party. Reunion Picture at 2011 Summit Ministerial meetings[edit] Following the pattern of the EPP Summit the party also organises regular EPP Ministerial meetings before each meeting of the Council of the European Union, with ministers, deputy ministers, secretaries of state and MEPs in the specific policy field attending: General Affairs Foreign Affairs Economy and Finance Home Affairs Justice Defence Employment and Social Affairs Industry Agriculture Energy Environment[27] Other activities[edit] The EPP also organises working groups on different issues and on an ad hoc basis, as well as meetings with its affiliated members in the European Commission. It also invites individual Commissioners to the EPP Summit meetings and to EPP Ministerial meetings. Following amendments to the EU Regulation that governs Europarties in 2007, the EPP, like the other "Europarties", is responsible for organising a pan-European campaign for the European elections every five years. According to the Lisbon Treaty, the parties must present candidates for President of the European Commission, but the EPP had already done this by endorsing Jose Manuel Barroso for a second term in April 2009. The year 2014 saw the first fully fledged campaign of the EPP ahead of the European elections of that year. The party nominated former Luxembourgish Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker as its candidate for President of the European Commission and led a pan-European campaign in coordination with the national campaigns of all its member parties. Activities within European institutions[edit] As of December 2019, the EPP will hold the Presidency of the European Commission with Ursula von der Leyen (CDU). Overview of the European institutions[edit] Organisation Institution Number of seats  European Union European Parliament 187 / 705 Committee of the Regions 125 / 350 European Commission 10 / 27 European Council (Heads of Government) 11 / 27 Council of the European Union (Participation in Government) 11 / 27 European Commission[edit] Following EPP's victory in the 2019 European Parliament election, Ursula von der Leyen was nominated by the EPP as Commission President. She was endorsed by the European Council and elected by an absolute majority in the European Parliament. On 1 December 2019 the von der Leyen Commission officially took office. It includes 10 EPP officeholders out of 27 European Commissioners. State Commissioner Portfolio Political party Portrait Germany von der LeyenUrsula von der Leyen President CDU Latvia DombrovskisValdis Dombrovskis Executive Vice President – An Economy that Works for the People, Trade Unity Croatia ŠuicaDubravka Šuica Vice President – Democracy and Demography HDZ Greece SchinasMargaritis Schinas Vice President – Promoting the European Way of Life ND Austria HahnJohannes Hahn Commissioner for Budget and Administration ÖVP Ireland McGuinnessMairead McGuinness Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and the Capital Markets Union FG Bulgaria GabrielMariya Gabriel Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth GERB Cyprus KyriakidesStella Kyriakides Commissioner for Health and Food Safety DISY Romania VăleanAdina-Ioana Vălean Commissioner for Transport PNL Hungary VárhelyiOlivér Várhelyi Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement EPP (Independent on the national level, but affiliated with EPP at the EU level) European Parliament[edit] Main article: European People's Party (European Parliament group) The EPP has the largest group in the European Parliament: the EPP Group. It currently has 182 Members of the European Parliament and its chairman is the German MEP Manfred Weber. In every election for the European Parliament candidates elected on lists of member parties of the EPP are obliged to join the EPP Group in the European Parliament. The EPP Group holds five of the fourteen vice-presidencies of the European Parliament. European Council[edit] The EPP has 11 out of the 27 EU heads of state or government attending the EPP summit meetings in preparation of the European Council (as of Aug 2020): Member state Representative Title Political party Member of the Council since Portrait  Austria Sebastian Kurz Chancellor ÖVP 7 January 2020  Bulgaria Boyko Borissov Prime Minister GERB 7 November 2014  Croatia Andrej Plenković Prime Minister HDZ 19 October 2016  Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades President DISY 28 February 2013  Germany Angela Merkel Chancellor CDU 22 November 2005  Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis Prime Minister ND 8 July 2019  Hungary Viktor Orbán Prime Minister Fidesz 29 May 2010  Latvia Arturs Krišjānis Kariņš Prime Minister Unity 23 January 2019  Romania Klaus Iohannis President PNL 21 December 2014  Slovakia Igor Matovič Prime Minister OĽaNO 21 March 2020  Slovenia Janez Janša Prime minister SDS 13 March 2020 The EPP also has other heads of state or government who do not normally take part in the European Council or EPP summits since that responsibility belongs to the other leaders of their countries: János Áder (Hungary, Fidesz), Sauli Niinistö (Finland, KOK). National legislatures[edit] Country Institution Number of seats  Austria National Council Lower house 71 / 183 Federal Council Upper house 22 / 62  Belgium Chamber of Representatives Lower house 27 / 150 Senate Upper house 12 / 60  Bulgaria National Assembly 95 / 240  Croatia Sabor 62 / 151  Cyprus House of Representatives 18 / 56  Czech Republic Chamber of Deputies Lower house 23 / 200 Senate Upper house 34 / 81  Denmark The Folketing 6 / 179  Estonia Riigikogu 12 / 101  Finland Parliament 38 / 200  France National Assembly Lower house 104 / 577 Senate Upper house 144 / 348  Germany Bundestag 246 / 630  Greece Parliament 158 / 300  Hungary Országgyűlés 133 / 199  Ireland Dáil Lower house 35 / 166 Seanad Upper house 19 / 60  Italy Chamber of Deputies Lower house 106 / 630 Senate Upper house 65 / 315  Latvia Saeima 8 / 100  Lithuania Seimas 50 / 141  Luxembourg Chamber of Deputies 23 / 60  Malta House of Representatives 28 / 69  Netherlands House of Representatives Lower house 19 / 150 Senate Upper house 12 / 75  Poland Sejm Lower house 131 / 460 Senate Upper house 42 / 100  Portugal Assembly of the Republic 84 / 230  Romania Chamber of Deputies Lower house 119 / 329 Senate Upper house 45 / 136  Slovakia National Council 53 / 150  Slovenia National Assembly 33 / 90  Spain Congress of Deputies Lower house 89 / 350 Senate Upper house 83 / 265  Sweden Riksdag 92 / 349 Activities beyond the European Union[edit] In third countries[edit] Through its associate and observer parties the EPP has four head of state or government in non-EU countries: State Representatives Title Political party In power since Portrait  Norway Erna Solberg Prime Minister Høyre 16 October 2013  Serbia Aleksandar Vučić President SNS 31 May 2017  Serbia Ana Brnabić Prime Minister SNS 29 June 2017  Bosnia and Herzegovina Šefik Džaferović Bosniak Member of the Presidency SDA 20 November 2018  Moldova Maia Sandu President-elect of Moldova PAS 23 December 2020 In the Council of Europe[edit] The Group of the EPP in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe defends freedom of expression and information, as well as freedom of movement of ideas and religious tolerance. It promotes the principle of subsidiarity and local autonomy, as well as the defence of national, social and other minorities. The EPP/CD Group is led by Aleksander Pociej, a member of the Polish Civic Platform. The EPP/CD group also includes members from parties that are not related to the EPP itself, including members of the Patriotic Union (Liechtenstein), the Progressive Citizens' Party (Liechtenstein), and the National and Democratic Union (Monaco).[28] In the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe[edit] The "EPP and like-minded Group" in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is the most active political group in that body. The Group meets on a regular basis and promotes the EPP's positions. The members of the EPP Group also participate in the election-monitoring missions of the OSCE. The Group is chaired by Walburga Habsburg Douglas (Sweden), and its Vice-Presidents are Consiglio Di Nino (Canada), Vilija Aleknaitė Abramikiene (Lithuania), Laura Allegrini (Italy) and George Tsereteli (Georgia). The Group also includes members of parties not related to the EPP, accounting for the "like-minded" part of its name. Among them are members of the Patriotic Union (Liechtenstein), the Union for the Principality (Monaco), the Conservative Party of the United Kingdom, the Conservative Party of Canada and the Republican Party of the United States. In the North Atlantic Treaty Organization[edit] The EPP is also present and active in the Parliamentary Assembly of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and forms the "EPP and Associated Members" Group there. It is led by the German CDU politician Karl Lamers, who is also the current President of the Assembly. The Group also included members of the Conservative Party of Canada and the Republican Party of the United States, but now they're members of Conservative Group From left to right: López-Istúriz, McCain & Martens Relations with the United States[edit] The EPP has close relations with the International Republican Institute (IRI), an organisation funded by the U.S. government specially to promote democracy and democratisation. The EPP and the IRI cooperate within the framework of the European Partnership Initiative.[29] The EPP's late President, Wilfried Martens, endorsed Senator John McCain, the Republican nominee for president, in the presidential election in 2008.[30] McCain was also Chairman of the IRI. In 2011 Martens and McCain made joint press statements expressing their concern about the state of democracy in Ukraine.[31][32] Global networks[edit] The EPP is the European wing of two global centre-right organisations, the International Democrat Union (IDU) and the Christian Democrat International (CDI). Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies[edit] Main article: Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies Following the revision in 2007 of the EU Regulation that governs European political parties, allowing the creation of European foundations affiliated to Europarties, the EPP established in the same year its official foundation/think tank, the Centre for European Studies (CES). The CES includes as members all the major national think tanks and foundations affiliated to EPP member parties: the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (CDU), the Hanns Seidel Foundation (CSU), the Foundation for Analysis and Social Studies (PP), the Constantinos Karamanlis Institute for Democracy (ND), the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation (MOD), the Political Academy of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) and others. During the European Parliament election campaign in 2009 the CES launched a web-based campaign module, tellbarroso.eu, to support Jose Manuel Barroso, the EPP's candidate for re-election as Commission President. In 2014, to honour Wilfried Martens – the late President of the EPP who was also President of the CES – changed its name to Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies or Martens Centre. The current President of the Martens Centre is former Slovak Prime Minister Mikuláš Dzurinda. The Budapest-based Robert Schuman Institute and the Luxembourg-based Robert Schuman Foundation are also affiliated with the European People's Party.[citation needed] EPP associations[edit] This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) This article needs to be updated. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (September 2015) The EPP is linked to several specific associations that focus on specific groups and organise seminars, forums, publications and other activities. Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Europe (SME Europe)[edit] Main article: SME Europe SME Europe is the official business organisation of the EPP, and serves as a network for pro-business politicians and political organisations. Its main objective is to shape EU policy in a more SME-friendly way in close cooperation with the SME Circle of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, the DG Enterprise and the pro-business organisations of the EPP's member parties. Its top priorities are to reform the legal framework for SMEs all over Europe, and to promote and support the interests of small and medium-sized enterprises. SME Europe was founded in May 2012 by three Members of the European Parliament, Paul Rübig, Nadezhda Neynsky and Bendt Bendtsen. European Democrat Students[edit] Main article: European Democrat Students European Democrat Students (EDS) is now the official students' organisation of the EPP, though it was founded in 1961, 15 years before the EPP itself. Led by Virgilio Falco, EDS has 40 member organisations, representing nearly 1,600,000 students and young people[33] in 31 countries, including Belarus and Georgia. Every year EDS hosts Summer and Winter "universities", and several seminars. It also regularly publishes a magazine, Bullseye, and organises topical campaigns. European Seniors' Union[edit] Founded in Madrid in 1995 and led by Ann Hermans of the CD&V, the European Seniors' Union (ESU) is the largest political senior citizens' organisation in Europe. The ESU is represented in 26 states with 45 organisations and about 500,000 members. European Union of Christian Democratic Workers[edit] The European Union of Christian Democratic Workers (EUCDW) is the labour organisation of the EPP, with 24 member organisations in 18 different countries. As the officially recognised EPP association of workers, the EUCDW is led by Elmar Brok, MEP. It aims at the political unification of a democratic Europe, the development of the EPP on the basis of Christian social teaching, and the defence of workers' interests in European policy-making. Women of the European People’s Party[edit] The Women of the European People's Party (EPP Women) is recognised by the EPP as the official association of women from all like-minded political parties of Europe. EPP Women has more than 40 member organisations from countries of the European Union and beyond. All of them are women's organisations of political parties that are members of the EPP. EPP Women is led by Doris Pack. Youth of the European People’s Party[edit] Main article: Youth of the European People's Party The Youth of the European People's Party (YEPP), led by Lídia Pereira, is the EPP's official youth organisation. It has 64 member organisations, bringing together between one and two million young people in 40 countries. Membership[edit] Within the EPP there are three kinds of member organisations: full members, associate members and observers. Full members are parties from EU states. They have absolute rights to vote in all the EPP's organs and on all matters. Associate members have the same voting rights as full members except for matters concerning the EU's structure or policies. These associate members are parties from EU candidate countries and EFTA countries. Observer parties can participate in all the activities of the EPP, and attend the Congresses and Political Assemblies, but they do not have any voting rights. A special status of "supporting member" is granted by the Presidency to individuals and associations. Although they do not have voting rights, they can be invited by the President to attend meetings of certain organs of the party. Full member parties[edit] Country Party name Abbr. Legislature lower house seats Legislature upper house Seats Status  Austria Austrian People's Party Österreichische Volkspartei ÖVP 71 / 183 22 / 61 Government  Belgium Christian Democratic and Flemish Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams CD&V 12 / 150 5 / 60 Government Humanist Democratic Centre Centre démocrate humaniste cdH 5 / 150 4 / 60 Opposition  Bulgaria Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria Граждани за европейско развитие на България Grazhdani za evropeĭsko razvitie na Bŭlgariya GERB 95 / 240 Government Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria Демократи за силна България Demokrati za silna Bălgarija DSB 0 / 240 Extra-parliamentary Union of Democratic Forces Съюз на демократичните сили Sayuz na demokratichnite sili SDS 0 / 240 Extra-parliamentary Democratic Party Демократическа партия Demokraticheska partia DP 0 / 240 Extra-parliamentary Movement "Bulgaria of the Citizens" Движение „България на гражданите“ Dvizhenie „Bulgariya na grazhdanite“ BCM 0 / 240 Extra-parliamentary  Croatia Croatian Democratic Union Hrvatska demokratska zajednica HDZ 62 / 151 Government  Cyprus Democratic Rally Δημοκρατικός Συναγερμός Dimokratikós Sinagermós DISY 18 / 56 Government  Czech Republic Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party Křesťanská a demokratická unie – Československá strana lidová KDU–ČSL 10 / 200 12 / 81 Opposition TOP 09 7 / 200 5 / 81 Opposition  Denmark Conservative People's Party Det Konservative Folkeparti C 13 / 179 Opposition Christian Democrats Kristendemokraterne KD 0 / 179 Extra-parliamentary  Estonia Pro Patria Isamaa I 12 / 101 Government  Finland National Coalition Party Kansallinen Kokoomus Samlingspartiet KOK 38 / 200 Government  France The Republicans Les Républicains LR 104 / 577 146 / 348 Opposition  Germany Christian Democratic Union Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands CDU 200 / 709 Government Christian Social Union in Bavaria Christlich-Soziale Union in Bayern CSU 46 / 709 Government  Greece New Democracy Νέα Δημοκρατία Nea Dimokratia ND 158 / 300 Government  Hungary Christian Democratic People's Party Kereszténydemokrata Néppárt KDNP 16 / 199 Government  Ireland Fine Gael FG 35 / 160 16 / 60 Government  Italy Forza Italia FI 97 / 630 58 / 321 Opposition Union of the Centre Unione di Centro UdC 0 / 630 3 / 321 Opposition Popular Alternative Alternativa Popolare AP 0 / 630 0 / 321 Extra-parliamentary Populars for Italy Popolari per l'Italia PpI 0 / 630 0 / 321 Extra-parliamentary  Latvia New Unity Vienotība JV 8 / 100 Government  Lithuania Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats Tėvynės sąjunga – Lietuvos krikščionys demokratai TS-LKD 50 / 141 Government  Luxembourg Christian Social People's Party Chrëschtlech Sozial Vollekspartei Parti populaire chrétien social Christlich Soziale Volkspartei CSV/PSC 21 / 60 Opposition  Malta Nationalist Party Partit Nazzjonalista 28 / 67 Opposition  Netherlands Christian Democratic Appeal Christen-Democratisch Appèl CDA 19 / 150 9 / 75 Government  Poland Civic Platform Platforma Obywatelska PO 119 / 460 43 / 100 Opposition Polish People's Party Polskie Stronnictwo Ludowe PSL 20 / 460 2 / 100 Opposition  Portugal Social Democratic Party Partido Social Democrata PSD 79 / 230 Opposition Democratic and Social Centre – People's Party Centro Democrático e Social – Partido Popular CDS-PP 5 / 230 Opposition  Romania National Liberal Party Partidul Național Liberal PNL 82 / 329 31 / 136 Government Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania Romániai Magyar Demokrata Szövetség Uniunea Democrată Maghiară din România UDMR 21 / 329 9 / 136 Confidence and Supply People's Movement Party Partidul Mișcarea Populară PMP 16 / 329 5 / 136 Confidence and Supply  Slovakia Christian Democratic Movement Kresťanskodemokratické hnutie KDH 0 / 150 Extra-parliamentary Most–Híd 0 / 150 Extra-parliamentary TOGETHER - Civic Democracy SPOLU - Občianska demokracia SPOLU 0 / 150 Extra-parliamentary Party of the Hungarian Community Magyar Közösség Pártja Strana maďarskej komunity SMK/MKP 0 / 150 Extra-parliamentary  Slovenia Slovenian Democratic Party Slovenska demokratska stranka SDS 26 / 90 Government Slovenian People's Party Slovenska ljudska stranka SLS 0 / 90 Extra-parliamentary New Slovenia–Christian Democrats Nova Slovenija – Krščanski demokrati NSi 7 / 90 Government  Spain People's Party Partido Popular PP 89 / 350 97 / 265 Opposition  Sweden Moderate Party Moderata samlingspartiet M 70 / 349 Opposition Christian Democrats Kristdemokraterna KD 22 / 349 Opposition Suspended members[edit]  Hungary Fidesz (as of 20 March 2019)[34] Associate members[edit]  Albania Democratic Party of Albania (PDSh)  North Macedonia Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization – Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO–DPMNE)  Norway Conservative Party (H)  Serbia Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (VMSZ/SVM)   Switzerland Christian Democratic People's Party (CVP) Observer members[edit]  Armenia Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) Rule of Law (OEK) Heritage  Belarus Belarusian Christian Democracy (BCD) United Civic Party of Belarus (AHP) The Movement for Freedom (MFF)[35]  Bosnia and Herzegovina Party of Democratic Action (SDA) Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HDZBiH) Party of Democratic Progress (PDP) Croatian Democratic Union 1990 (HDZ 1990)  Finland Christian Democrats (KD)  Georgia United National Movement (UNM) European Georgia  Italy South Tyrolean People's Party (SVP) Trentino Tyrolean Autonomist Party  Kosovo Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK)  Moldova Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova (PLDM) Dignity and Truth Platform Party (PPDA) Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS)  Montenegro Democratic Montenegro (DCG) Bosniak Party (BS)  Norway Christian People's Party (KrF)  San Marino Sammarinese Christian Democratic Party (PDCS)  Ukraine Democratic Alliance[citation needed] European Solidarity[36] Fatherland (since 2008) Self Reliance (since 2019)[37] Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform (UDAR) Former members[edit]  Belarus Belarusian Popular Front (BNF), observer member until 2017  France Centre of Social Democrats[38] Union for French Democracy[38] Rally for the Republic[38] Union for a Popular Movement[38]  Croatia Croatian Peasant Party (HSS), member until withdrawal May 2019.  Italy Christian Democracy[38] Italian People's Party[38] Christian Democratic Centre[38] United Christian Democrats[38] Italian Renewal[38] Forza Italia[38] Union of Democrats for Europe[38] The People of Freedom[38] New Centre-Right  Romania Democratic Party (PD) Democratic Liberal Party (PDL) Christian Democratic National Peasants' Party (PNȚ-CD)  Slovakia Slovak Democratic and Christian Union – Democratic Party (SDKÚ-DS)  Spain Basque Nationalist Party[38] People's Democratic Party[38]  Turkey Justice and Development Party (observer)  Ukraine People's Movement of Ukraine (observer) Our Ukraine (observer) See also[edit] Local principality civic platform in Poland References[edit] ^ "Macron, Merkel say ready to change EU treaties if needed". www.usatoday.com. ^ "IDC-CDI". Centrist Democrat International. Retrieved 2 June 2020. ^ "Members". International Democrat Union. Retrieved 2 June 2020. ^ a b Nordsieck, Wolfram (2019). "European Union". Parties and Elections in Europe. Retrieved 30 May 2019. ^ Slomp, Hans (26 September 2011). Europe, A Political Profile: An American Companion to European Politics. ABC-CLIO. p. 246. ISBN 978-0-313-39182-8. Retrieved 20 September 2018. ^ a b Maushagen, Peter (4 September 2018). "German conservative seeks to front center-right in EU elections". Reuters. Retrieved 23 September 2018. ^ José María Magone (2006). The New World Architecture: The Role of the European Union in the Making of Global Governance. New York: Transaction Publishers. p. 130. ISBN 978-0-7658-0279-8. ^ Vít Hloušek; Lubomír Kopeček (2010). Origin, Ideology and Transformation of Political Parties: East-Central and Western Europe Compared. London: Ashgate Publishing. p. 11. ISBN 978-0-7546-7840-3. ^ Josep Maria Colomer (2008). "The European Union: A Federal Democratic Empire?". In Josep Maria Colomer (ed.). Comparative European Politics. London: Taylor & Francis. p. 288. ISBN 978-0-415-43755-4. ^ Karl Magnus Johansson (2009). "The Emergence of Political Parties at European Level: Integration Unaccomplished". In Sverker Gustavsson; Lars Oxelheim; Lars Pehrson (eds.). How Unified Is the European Union?: European Integration Between Visions and Popular Legitimacy. Springer. p. 160. ISBN 978-3-540-95855-0. ^ "Donald Tusk elected president of European People's Party". Politico. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2019. ^ administrator. "EPP | European People's Party". Epp.eu. Archived from the original on 1 September 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2011. ^ a b "On the Road Towards Transnational Party Cooperation in Europe" by Steven van Hecke[dead link] in "European View", Volume 3, 2006, from the Centre for European Studies Archived 3 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine ^ a b Claey, P. H.; Loeb-Mayer, N. (1979). "Trans-European Party Groupings: Emergence of New and Alignment of Old Parties in the Light of the Direct Elections to the European Parliament". Government and Opposition. 14 (4): 455. doi:10.1111/j.1477-7053.1979.tb00257.x. ^ List of European conservative parties showing defections, wavering or coming out against Viktor Orbán Retrieved 5 March 2019 ^ Orbán vs Juncker for the EPP’s future Retrieved 5 March 2019 ^ Orbán's campaign against George Soros Retrieved 5 March 2019 ^ Juncker: Hungary's ruling Fidesz doesn't belong in EPP Retrieved 5 March 2019 ^ The end of Germany's Orbán affair Retrieved 5 March 2019 ^ How the EPP lost its way Retrieved 27 March 2019. ^ Fidesz MEPs remain in the EPP for now Retrieved 27 March 2019. ^ EPP prolongs suspension of Hungary's Fidesz indefinitely Retrieved 7 February 2020. ^ A Fidesz kizárását kéri a Néppárt 13 tagpártja Retrieved 2 April 2020. ^ Hungary passes law allowing Viktor Orban to rule by decree Retrieved 2 April 2020. ^ "EPP Presidency". European People's Party. ^ Jansen & Van Hecke 2011, p. 109. ^ "EPP website". Archived from the original on 8 September 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2011. ^ "PACE website". Archived from the original on 31 August 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2012. ^ "European Partnership Initiative | International Republican Institute". IRI. Archived from the original on 11 November 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2011. ^ "Financial Times Article Wilfried Martens". Epp.eu. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2011. ^ "United States Senator John McCain:: Press Office:". Mccain.senate.gov. 30 August 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2011. ^ "Senator McCain and President Martens urge for the release of Yulia Tymoshenko". Epp.eu. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2011. ^ Students on the Right Way: European Democrat Students 1961–2011 Archived 3 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine. thinkingeurope.eu. Retrieved on 7 September 2013. ^ "European center right suspends Hungarian PM Orbán". Retrieved 20 March 2019. ^ The MFF is admitted to the EPP. http://pyx.by. Retrieved on 15 January 2019. ^ "Європейська народна партія прийняла партію Порошенка". Європейська Правда (in Ukrainian). 10 September 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2019. ^ "EPP Political Assembly remains committed to Spitzenkandidat process; welcomes new Ukrainian parties". epp.eu. 4 June 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2019. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Thomas Jansen; Steven Van Hecke (2011). At Europe's Service: The Origins and Evolution of the European People's Party. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 51. ISBN 978-3-642-19414-6. Bibliography[edit] Jansen, Thomas (1998). The European People's Party: Origins and Development. MacMillans. Jansen, Thomas; Van Hecke, Steven (2011). At Europe's Service: The Origins and Evolution of the European People's Party. Springer. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-19414-6. ISBN 978-3-642-19413-9. LCCN 2011927265. Kaiser, Wolfram (2004). Michael Gehler; Wolfram Kaiser (eds.). Transnational Christian Democracy: From the Nouvelles Equipes Internationales to the European People's Party. Christian Democracy in Europe since 1945. Routledge. pp. 194–208. ISBN 0-7146-5662-3. External links[edit] Wikimedia Commons has media related to European People's Party. European People's Party EPP portal site Martens Centre the EPP think-tank EPP Group in the European Parliament EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions EPP Group in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe EPP Youth (YEPP) EPP Students (EDS) EPP Women EPP Seniors (ESU) EPP SME Union EPP Workers (EUCDW) v t e European People's Party Parliamentary group National parties Member parties (EU) ÖVP cdH CD&V GERB/ГЕРБ DSB/ДСБ DP/ДП SDS/СДС HDZ HSS DISY/ΔΗ.ΣΥ. KDU–ČSL TOP 09 KD C Isamaa Kok./Saml. LR CDU CSU ND/Ν.Δ. Fidesz KDNP FG FI AP UdC PpI V TS-LKD CSV PN CDA PO PSL CDS-PP PPD-PSD PNL PMP UDMR/RMDSz KDH MOST-HÍD SMK-MKP NSi SDS SLS PP UDC KD M Associated parties (non-EU) VMRO - DPMNE/ВМРО - ДПМНЕ H SNS/СНС CVP-PDC-PPD-PCD Observer parties PD HHK/ՀՀԿ OEK/ՕԵԿ Heritage/Ժառանգություն BNF/БНФ AHP/АГП HDZ BiH PDP SDA HDZ 1990 KD ENM/ენმ LDK SVP PATT PLDM KrF PDCS VMSZ Batkivshchyna/Батьківщина NRU/НРУ UDAR/УДАР Presidents Donald Tusk (President) Antonio López-Istúriz White (Secretary General) Mariya Gabriel (Vice-President) David McAllister (Vice-President) Helen McEntee (Vice-President) Johannes Hahn (Vice-President) Esther de Lange (Vice-President) Antonio Tajani (Vice-President) Siegfried Mureșan (Vice-President) Franck Proust (Vice-President) Paulo Rangel (Vice-President) Petteri Orpo (Vice-President) Christian Schmidt (Treasurer) Ursula von der Leyen (ex officio Vice-President) Manfred Weber (ex officio Vice-President) European Parliament Group Presidents Manfred Weber (Chair) Arnaud Danjean (Vice-Chair) Esteban González Pons (Vice-Chair) Sandra Kalniete (Vice-Chair) Andrey Kovatchev (Vice-Chair) Esther de Lange (Vice-Chair) Vangelis Meimarakis (Vice-Chair) Siegfried Mureșan (Vice-Chair) Jan Olbrycht (Vice-Chair) Paulo Rangel (Vice-Chair) see European Parliament European Commissioners Ursula von der Leyen (President) Valdis Dombrovskis (Vice-President, An Economy that Works for the People) Dubravka Šuica (Vice-President, Democracy and Demography) Margaritis Schinas (Vice-President, Promoting the European Way of Life) Johannes Hahn (Budget and Administration) Phil Hogan (Trade) Mariya Gabriel (Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth) Stella Kyriakides (Health and Food Safety) Adina-Ioana Vălean (Transport) Olivér Várhelyi (Neighbourhood and Enlargement) see von der Leyen Commission Heads of government at the European Council Sebastian Kurz (Austria) Boyko Borissov (Bulgaria) Andrej Plenković (Croatia) Nicos Anastasiades (Cyprus) Angela Merkel (Germany) Kyriakos Mitsotakis (Greece) Viktor Orbán (Hungary) Leo Varadkar (Ireland) Krišjānis Kariņš (Latvia) Klaus Iohannis (Romania) Igor Matovič (Slovakia) Janez Janša (Slovenia) see European Council Eurofoundation: Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies v t e Pan-European political organisations Political parties recognised by the EU Current European Conservatives and Reformists Party Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party European Christian Political Movement European Democratic Party European Free Alliance European Green Party European People's Party Identity and Democracy Party Party of European Socialists Party of the European Left Defunct Alliance for Direct Democracy in Europe Alliance for Europe of the Nations Alliance of Independent Democrats in Europe Europeans United for Democracy European Alliance for Freedom Libertas Movement for a Europe of Liberties and Democracy Political parties not recognised by the EU Current Alliance for Peace and Freedom Alliance of European National Movements Animal Politics EU Europe–Democracy–Esperanto European Federalist Party European Pirate Party European Party for Individual Liberty Initiative of Communist and Workers' Parties Now the People! Volt Europa Defunct European National Front Europe United Party Movement for European Reform Newropeans Party groups in the Nordic Council Centre Group Nordic Freedom Nordic Green Left Alliance The Social Democratic Group (SAMAK) Conservative Group PACE political groups Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe European Conservatives Group and Democratic Alliance Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group Unified European Left Group Other confederations of national parties Current European Anti-Capitalist Left Liberal South East European Network Defunct Euronat European Democrat Union National parties by European organisation Political groups of the European Parliament Political foundations at European level European parliamentary elections European Council composition by party Politics portal v t e International Democrat Union Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists Asia Pacific Democrat Union Caribbean Democrat Union Democrat Union of Africa European Democrat Union European People's Party International Women's Democrat Union International Young Democrat Union Union of Latin American Parties Member parties       Democratic Party Liberal Party Austrian People's Party National Independence Party Social Democrat Movement Party of Democratic Action Democrats Union of Democratic Forces Conservative Party Independent Democratic Union National Renewal Kuomintang Conservative Party Democratic Union Democratic Rally Civic Democratic Party Conservative People's Party National Progressive Force Social Christian Party Nationalist Republican Alliance Isamaa National Coalition Party United National Movement Christian Democratic Union Christian Social Union in Bavaria New Patriotic Party New Democracy Unionist Party National Party Fidesz Independence Party Bharatiya Janata Party Maldivian Democratic Party Liberal Democratic Party Democratic Party National Party Conservative Party VMRO–DPMNE Conservative Party Christian People's Party CDS–PP Democratic Party of Serbia 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