View source for European People's Party

{{Short description|Centre-right European political party}}
{{About|the political party|the parliamentary group|European People's Party Group}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox political party
| colorcode        = {{EUPP data|color}}
| name             = {{EUPP data|official name}}
| abbreviation     = {{EUPP data|acronym}}
| logo             = [[File:European People's Party logo.svg|250px|Logo of the European People's Party]]
| president        = [[Manfred Weber]] ([[Germany|DE]])
| secretary_general = [[Dolors Montserrat]] ([[Spain|ES]])
| foundation       = {{start date and age|df=yes|1976|07|08}}
| headquarters     = {{Q|69872011}} 10,<br />1000 [[Brussels]],<br />[[Leopold Quarter|European Quarter]], Belgium
| think_tank       = [[Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies|Wilfried Martens Centre]]
| youth_wing       = [[Youth of the European People's Party|Youth of the<br />European People's Party]]
| student_wing     = {{nowrap|[[European Democrat Students]]}}
| womens_wing      = Women of the<br />European People's Party
| membership_year  = {{EUPP data|individual members date}}
| membership       = {{EUPP data|individual members}}
| ideology         = {{ubl|class=nowrap|
 |[[Christian democracy]]
 |[[Liberal conservatism]]
 |[[Conservatism]]
 |[[Pro-Europeanism]]<ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/world/2017/05/15/macron-merkel-say-ready-change-eu-treaties-if-needed/101726390/|title=Macron, Merkel say ready to change EU treaties if needed|date=15 May 2017|website=www.usatoday.com}}</ref>
}}
| position         = [[Centre-right politics|Centre-right]] 
| international    = {{ubl|
 |[[Centrist Democrat International]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.idc-cdi.com/|title=IDC-CDI|access-date=2 June 2020|website=[[Centrist Democrat International]]}}</ref>
 |[[International Democracy Union]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.idu.org/members/|title=Members|website=[[International Democracy Union]]|date=February 2018 |access-date=2 June 2020}}</ref>
}}
| europarl         = [[European People's Party Group]]<br>[[Renew Europe]] ([[People's Movement Party|PMP]])
| colours          = {{ubl|{{Color box|#0155A0|border=darkgray}} Dark blue|{{Color box|#FBB034|border=darkgray}} Selective yellow |{{color box|{{EUPP data|color}}|border=darkgray}} Sky blue (customary)}}
<!-- Values derived from Wikidata; do not manually edit -> https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q208242 -->
| seats1_title     = [[European Parliament]]
| seats1           = {{EUPP data|seat composition bar|EP}}
| seats2_title     = {{nobr|[[European Commission]]}}
| seats2           = {{EUPP data|seat composition bar|EC}}
| seats3_title     = [[European Council]]
| seats3           = {{EUPP data|seat composition bar|EUCO}}
| seats4_title     = [[National parliaments of the European Union|European<br/>Lower Houses]]
| seats4           = {{EUPP data|seat composition bar|ms-lower-house}}
| seats5_title     = [[National parliaments of the European Union|European<br/>Upper Houses]]
| seats5           = {{EUPP data|seat composition bar|ms-upper-house}}
| website          = {{EUPP data|website}}
| country          = the European Union
}}
The '''European People's Party''' ('''EPP''') is a [[European political party]] with [[Christian democracy|Christian democratic]],<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=http://www.parties-and-elections.eu/eu.html|title=European Union|website=Parties and Elections in Europe|last=Nordsieck|first=Wolfram|year=2019|access-date=30 May 2019}}</ref> [[liberal conservatism|liberal-conservative]],<ref name=":1"/> and [[conservative]]<ref>{{cite book|first=Hans|last=Slomp|date=26 September 2011|title=Europe, A Political Profile: An American Companion to European Politics|publisher=ABC-CLIO|page=246|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LmfAPmwE6YYC&pg=PA246|access-date=20 September 2018|isbn=978-0-313-39182-8}}</ref><ref name="reuters"/> 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 conservatism|liberal-conservative]] parties and parties with other [[centre-right politics|centre-right]] political perspectives.<ref name="reuters">{{cite news |last=Maushagen |first=Peter |title=German conservative seeks to front center-right in EU elections|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-election-germany-weber/german-conservative-seeks-to-front-center-right-in-eu-elections-source-idUSKCN1LK2KN |access-date=23 September 2018 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=4 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| author=José María Magone |title=The New World Architecture: The Role of the European Union in the Making of Global Governance |year=2006 |publisher=Transaction Publishers |location=New York |isbn=978-0-7658-0279-8 |page=130 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OzCwCrK5zekC}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1=Vít Hloušek |author2=Lubomír Kopeček |title=Origin, Ideology and Transformation of Political Parties: East-Central and Western Europe Compared |year=2010 |publisher=Ashgate Publishing |location=London |isbn=978-0-7546-7840-3 |page=11 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K79sdX-amEgC}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Josep Maria Colomer|author-link1=Josep Colomer|chapter=The European Union: A Federal Democratic Empire?|editor=Josep Maria Colomer |title=Comparative European Politics |year=2008 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |location=London |isbn=978-0-415-43755-4 |page=288 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=18aSGqADApUC}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Karl Magnus Johansson|chapter=The Emergence of Political Parties at European Level: Integration Unaccomplished|editor1=Sverker Gustavsson|editor2=Lars Oxelheim|editor3=Lars Pehrson|title=How Unified Is the European Union?: European Integration Between Visions and Popular Legitimacy|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N8tL9yHvTFwC&pg=PA160|year=2009|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-3-540-95855-0|page=160}}</ref> On 31 May 2022, the party elected as its President [[Manfred Weber]], who was also EPP's ''[[Spitzenkandidat]]'' in 2019.

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]] and the [[President of the European Parliament]] [[Roberta Metsola]] are from the EPP. Many of the [[founding fathers of the European Union]] were also from parties that later formed the EPP.

The EPP includes major centre-right parties such as the [[CDU/CSU]] of Germany, the [[Nationalist Party (Malta)|Nationalist Party]] of Malta, the [[People's Party (Spain)|People's Party]] (PP) of Spain, [[Forza Italia (2013)|Forza Italia]] of Italy, [[Austrian People's Party|ÖVP]] of Austria, [[Croatian Democratic Union|HDZ]] of Croatia, [[National Liberal Party (Romania)|PNL]] of Romania, [[Fine Gael]] of Ireland, [[National Coalition Party]] of Finland, [[New Democracy (Greece)|New Democracy]] of Greece, the [[Moderate Party (Sweden)|Moderates]] of Sweden, the [[Civic Platform]] of Poland, the [[Social Democratic Party (Portugal)|Social Democratic Party]] of Portugal, the [[Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria]] and the [[Tisza Party|TISZA]] party of Hungary.

== History ==
[[File:European People's Party (logo).svg|thumb|Logo of European People's Party from 2005 to 2015]]
[[File:EPP Congress Rotterdam Weber.jpg|thumb|President Manfred Weber, 2022 Rotterdam EPP Congress]]
[[File:Tindemans, Bukman, Santer.jpg|thumb|From left to right: [[Leo Tindemans|Tindemans]], [[Piet Bukman|Bukman]] and [[Jacques Santer|Santer]], former presidents of the EPP]]
[[File:Flickr - europeanpeoplesparty - EPP Congress Bonn (836).jpg|thumb|Bonn EPP Congress in 2009]]

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".<ref name="about">{{cite web |url=http://www.epp.eu/party.asp?z=5B |title=EPP &#124; European People's Party |publisher=Epp.eu |access-date=11 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901101937/http://www.epp.eu/party.asp?z=5B |archive-date=1 September 2011}}</ref>

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,<ref name="CESvanhecke"/> the ''[[Nouvelles Equipes Internationales]]'', founded in 1946<ref name="GOV14I4P455">{{Cite journal| doi=10.1111/j.1477-7053.1979.tb00257.x| title=Trans-European Party Groupings: Emergence of New and Alignment of Old Parties in the Light of the Direct Elections to the European Parliament| journal=Government and Opposition| volume=14| issue=4| pages=455| year=1979| last1=Claey| first1=P. H.| last2=Loeb-Mayer| first2=N.| s2cid=144621927| url=https://dipot.ulb.ac.be/dspace/bitstream/2013/286262/4/94913178-74c5-40fa-ad4c-3269976821a9.txt| hdl=2013/ULB-DIPOT:oai:dipot.ulb.ac.be:2013/286262| hdl-access=free}}</ref> (or 1948),<ref name="CESvanhecke">[http://kohl.ort.be/images/upload/vanhecke.pdf "On the Road Towards Transnational Party Cooperation in Europe" by Steven van Hecke]{{dead link|date=October 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} in "European View", Volume 3, 2006, from the [http://kohl.ort.be/intro.php Centre for European Studies] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203215948/http://kohl.ort.be/intro.php |date=3 February 2009}}</ref> and the European Union of [[Christian Democrats]], founded in 1965.<ref name="GOV14I4P455"/>

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 seven Presidents:
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! No. !! Image !! Name !! Tenure !! Party !! Member state
|- 
| '''1'''
| [[File:Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F050938-0028, Bonn, Tagung CDU-Bundesausschuss, Tindemans.jpg|70px]]
| [[Leo Tindemans]]<br />{{small|(1922–2014)}}
| 1976–1985
| [[Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams|CVP]]
| {{flag|Belgium}}
|-
| '''2'''
| [[File:Piet Bukman 1980 (1).jpg|70px]]
| [[Piet Bukman]]<br />{{small|(1934–2022)}}
| 1985–1987
| [[Christian Democratic Appeal|CDA]]
| {{flag|Netherlands}}
|- 
| '''3'''
| [[File:Jacques Santer.jpg|70px]]
| [[Jacques Santer]]<br />{{small|(born 1937)}}
| 1987–1990
| [[Christian Social People's Party|CSV]]
| {{flag|Luxembourg}}
|- 
| '''4''' 
| [[File:Wilfried Martens.jpg|70px]]
| [[Wilfried Martens]]<br />{{small|(1936–2013)}}
| 1990–2013<br />{{ref_label|died|Died}}
| [[Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams|CD&V]]
| {{flag|Belgium}}
|- 
|'''5'''
| [[File:Joseph Daul par Claude Truong-Ngoc octobre 2013.jpg|70px]]
| [[Joseph Daul]]<br />{{small|(born 1947)}}
| 2013–2019
| [[The Republicans (France)|The Republicans]]
| {{flag|France}}
|- 
|'''6'''
| [[File:EPP Summit, 24 March 2022, Brussels (51957155847) (cropped).jpg|70px]]
| [[Donald Tusk]]<br />{{small|(born 1957)}}
| 2019–2022
| [[Civic Platform]]
| {{flag|Poland}}
|- 
|'''7'''
| [[File:Manfred Weber May 2023.jpg|70px]]
| [[Manfred Weber]]<br />{{small|(born 1972)}}
| 2022–
| [[Christian Social Union in Bavaria|CSU]]
| {{flag|Germany}}
|}

<!-- :{{note_label|died|Died in office}} -->

== Platform and manifesto ==
[[File:A23A6062 (42165595065).jpg|thumb|[[Leo Varadkar]], [[Angela Merkel]] and [[Jean-Claude Juncker]] at an EPP summit in June 2018]]

=== Political manifesto and platform ===
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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.epp2012.eu/documents.asp |title=EPP Congress website |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004020134/http://www.epp2012.eu/documents.asp |archivedate=4 October 2012 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=November 2021}}

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 truly common [[EU energy policy]]
* Strengthening European political parties

=== Electoral manifesto ===
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:<ref name="2009leaflet">{{Cite web|url=http://www.epp.eu/files/EPP-Manifesto2009-Leaflet-EN.pdf|title=EPP Manifesto – European Elections 2009}}</ref>
* Creation of new jobs, continuing reforms and investment in education, [[lifelong learning]], and employment 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 percent 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.
[[File:Flickr - europeanpeoplesparty - EPP Congress Warsaw (869).jpg|thumb|center|600px|At its Congress in Warsaw in 2009 the EPP endorsed Barroso for a second term as President of the Commission.]]

=== The Fidesz crisis ===
Concerns that the Hungarian ruling party [[Fidesz]]{{efn|Formally Fidesz is part of a [[coalition government]], together with the [[Christian Democratic People's Party (Hungary)|KDNP]]. However, the KDNP is often accused of being in practice no more than a [[satellite party]] of Fidesz.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/fidesz-coalition-partner-mep-stays-in-epp-group/ |title=Fidesz coalition partner MEP stays in EPP Group |last=Makszimov |first=Vlagyiszlav |date=2021-03-04 |website=EURACTIV |access-date=2021-03-25 |quote=KDNP is Fidesz's junior coalition partner, considered a satellite party by many.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fairobserver.com/region/europe/sanctions-hungary-what-and-why-now/ |title=Sanctions on Hungary: What For and Why Now? |last=Herholz |first=Alexander |date=2012-02-26 |website=Fair Observer |access-date=2021-03-25 |quote=With a two-thirds majority, the nationalist conservative party, Fidesz, and its satellite party, KDNP, have complete authority to do anything.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sussex.ac.uk/webteam/gateway/file.php?name=epern-election-briefing-no-51.pdf&site=266#page=3 |title=Election Briefing No. 51: Europe and the Hungarian parliamentary elections of 2010 |last=Batory |first=Agnes |date=2010-06-17 |publisher=European Parties Elections and Referendums Network |format=PDF |access-date=2021-03-25 |quote=Its close ally, perhaps best described as a satellite party, is the Christian Democratic People's Party (KNDP), which ran (as it did in 2006) on a joint list with Fidesz.}}</ref>}} and its leader [[Viktor Orbán]] were undermining the rule of law in Hungary caused a split in the EPP in the run-up of the [[2019 European Parliament election]].<ref>[https://www.politico.eu/article/fidesz-epp-european-peoples-party-viktor-orban-what-happens-next/ List of European conservative parties showing defections, wavering or coming out against Viktor Orbán] Retrieved 5 March 2019</ref> 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 of the Treaty on European Union|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".<ref>[https://berlinpolicyjournal.com/orban-vs-juncker-for-the-epps-future/ Orbán vs Juncker for the EPP's future] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304093544/https://berlinpolicyjournal.com/orban-vs-juncker-for-the-epps-future/ |date=4 March 2021 }} Retrieved 5 March 2019</ref> Orbán's campaigns targeting billionaire [[George Soros]]<ref>[https://www.dw.com/en/viktor-orbans-campaign-against-george-soros-mercenaries/a-44954661 Orbán's campaign against George Soros] Retrieved 5 March 2019</ref> and Jean-Claude Juncker<ref>[https://www.politico.eu/article/juncker-hungarys-ruling-fidesz-doesnt-belong-in-epp/ Juncker: Hungary's ruling Fidesz doesn't belong in EPP] Retrieved 5 March 2019</ref> carried wide reverberations for Europe questioning the EPP's effort to install its lead candidate [[Manfred Weber]] as the next [[President of the European Commission]].<ref>[https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-viktor-orban-love-affair-over-fidesz/ The end of Germany's Orbán affair] Retrieved 5 March 2019</ref>

After years of deferring a decision about the Fidesz issue,<ref>[https://www.politico.eu/article/european-people-party-manfred-weber-how-the-epp-lost-its-way/ How the EPP lost its way] Retrieved 27 March 2019.</ref> 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 supported the common agreement with Fidesz on 20 March 2019 to partially suspend its membership. According to it, Fidesz was "until further notice" excluded from EPP meetings and internal elections, but remained in the [[European People's Party Group]] of the [[European Parliament]]. Fidesz did not deliver on its earlier promise to leave the EPP in case of a penalty.<ref>[https://www.politico.eu/article/fidesz-meps-remain-in-the-epp-group-for-now/ Fidesz MEPs remain in the EPP for now] Retrieved 27 March 2019.</ref>

In February 2020, the EPP extended the suspension of Fidesz indefinitely.<ref>[https://www.politico.eu/article/epp-prolongs-suspension-of-hungarys-fidesz-indefinitely/ EPP prolongs suspension of Hungary's Fidesz indefinitely] Retrieved 7 February 2020.</ref>

On 2 April 2020, thirteen parties within the EPP issued a joint statement aimed at Donald Tusk, asking him to expunge Fidesz from the party.<ref>[https://index.hu/kulfold/eurologus/2020/04/02/fidesz_kizarasat_keri_13_nepparti_tag_koronavirus_torveny// A Fidesz kizárását kéri a Néppárt 13 tagpártja] Retrieved 2 April 2020.</ref> Three days before this, the Hungarian Parliament had passed a law, declaring a state of emergency within Hungary, granting Prime Minister Viktor Orbán the right to rule by decree.<ref>[https://www.dw.com/en/hungary-passes-law-allowing-viktor-orban-to-rule-by-decree/a-52956243// Hungary passes law allowing Viktor Orban to rule by decree] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308222027/https://www.dw.com/en/hungary-passes-law-allowing-viktor-orban-to-rule-by-decree/a-52956243 |date=8 March 2021 }} Retrieved 2 April 2020.</ref>

On 3 March 2021, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced that Fidesz would leave the EPP group after it changed its internal rules (to allow suspension and expulsion of multiple deputies and their groups), although Fidesz remained a suspended member of the EPP itself.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Crowcroft|first=Orlando|date=3 March 2021|title=Hungary PM Orban's party quits the largest group in European Parliament|url=https://www.euronews.com/2021/03/03/orban-s-fidesz-party-quits-epp-group-amid-suspension-row}}</ref> On 18 March 2021, Fidesz decided to leave the European People's Party.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hungary: Viktor Orban's ruling Fidesz party quits European People's Party|date=18 March 2021|url=https://www.dw.com/en/hungary-viktor-orbans-ruling-fidesz-party-quits-european-peoples-party/a-56919987|access-date=2021-03-18|website=DW.COM|language=en-GB}}</ref>

In June 2024, The Hungarian [[Christian Democratic People's Party (Hungary)|Christian Democratic People's Party]] (KDNP), who serve in government with Fidesz, left the European People's Party.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kdnp.hu/hirek/kdnp-tavozik-az-europai-neppartbol-es-ep-frakciojabol|title=A KDNP távozik az Európai Néppártból és EP-frakciójából|website=Kereszténydemokrata Néppárt - kdnp.hu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.budapesttimes.hu/hungary/epp-group-votes-to-admit-hungarys-opposition-tisza-party-into-its-ranks-kdnp-to-leave-epp/|title=EPP group votes to admit Hungary's opposition Tisza Party into its ranks, KDNP to leave EPP|first=Attila|last=Leitner|date=18 June 2024|website=The Budapest Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://civilek.info/en/2024/06/18/epp-and-kdnp-picked-up-hungarian-peters-from-the-european-nation/ | title=PÃ©ter Magyar was hired by the EPP, so the KDNP is leaving the European People's Party â€" Citizens Info | date=18 June 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/european-peoples-party-hungary-weapons-war-in-ukraine-aid-peter-magyar/|title=EPP's new Hungarian members oppose sending weapons to Ukraine|date=18 June 2024|website=POLITICO}}</ref> That same month, members of the newly elected Hungarian [[Tisza Party]] led by [[Péter Magyar|Peter Magyar]], a former Fidesz insider, applied to join EPP.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-18 |title=Orbán ally-turned-rival joins EPP group in European Parliament |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/06/18/orban-ally-turned-rival-peter-magyar-joins-centre-right-epp-group-in-the-european-parliame |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=euronews |language=en}}</ref>

=== German investigation ===
In April 2023, Belgian police and German investigators carried out a raid at the EPP headquarters in Brussels as part of an investigation in Germany.<ref>Philip Blenkinsop and Joern Poltz (4 April 2023), [https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/police-raid-epp-partys-brussels-office-german-investigation-2023-04-04/ Police raid EPP party's Brussels office in German investigation] ''[[Reuters]]''.</ref>

== Membership ==
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 [[European Free Trade Association|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.

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 members ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Country
!Party
!Abbr.
!Lower house seats
!Upper house Seats
!Status
|-
|{{AUT}}
|[[Austrian People's Party]]<br />{{lang|de|Österreichische Volkspartei}}
|ÖVP
|{{Composition bar|51|183|#63C3D0}}
|{{Composition bar|23|61|#63C3D0}}
|{{yes|Government}}
|-
| {{BEL}}
|[[Christian Democratic and Flemish]]<br />{{lang|nl|Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams}}
|CD&V
|{{Composition bar|12|150|#FF7F2E}}
|{{Composition bar|5|60|#FF7F2E}}
|{{yes|Government}}
|-
| rowspan="4" |{{BUL}}
|[[GERB|Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria]]<br />{{lang|bg|Граждани за европейско развитие на България}}<br />{{lang|bg|Grazhdani za evropeĭsko razvitie na Bŭlgariya}}
|GERB
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|68|240|#0066CC}}
|{{yes|Government}}
|-
|[[Democratic Bulgaria ]]<br />{{lang|bg|Демократична България}}<br />{{lang|bg|Demokrati za silna Bălgarija}}
|DB
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|17|240|{{EUPP data|color}}}}
|{{no2|Opposition}}
|-
|[[Union of Democratic Forces (Bulgaria)|Union of Democratic Forces]]<br />{{lang|bg|Съюз на демократичните сили}}<br />{{lang|bg|Sayuz na demokratichnite sili}}
|SDS
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|5|240|{{EUPP data|color}}}}
|{{yes|Government}}
|-
|[[Bulgaria for Citizens Movement]]<br />{{lang|bg|Движение „България на гражданите“}}<br />{{lang|bg|Dvizhenie „Bulgariya na grazhdanite“}}
|BCM
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|0|240|{{EUPP data|color}}}}
|{{no|Extra-Parliamentary}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{CRO}}
|[[Croatian Democratic Union]]<br />{{lang|hr|Hrvatska demokratska zajednica}}
|HDZ
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|55|151|#005BAA}}
|{{yes|Government}} 
|-
|[[Croatian Demochristian Party]]<br />{{lang|hr|Hrvatska demokršćanska stranka}}
|HDS
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|1|151|{{party color|Croatian Demochristian Party}}}}
|{{yes|Government}} 
|-
|{{CYP}}
|[[Democratic Rally]]<br />{{lang|el|Δημοκρατικός Συναγερμός}}<br />{{lang|el|Dimokratikós Sinagermós}}
|DISY
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|17|56|#1569C7}}
|{{no2|Opposition}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{CZE}}
|[[KDU-ČSL|Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party]]<br />{{lang|cs|Křesťanská a demokratická unie – Československá strana lidová}}
|KDU–ČSL
|{{Composition bar|23|200|#FFD700}}
|{{Composition bar|12|81|#FFD700}}
|{{yes|Government}}
|-
|[[TOP 09]]
|TOP 09
|{{Composition bar|14|200|#993366}}
|{{Composition bar|6|81|#993366}}
|{{yes|Government}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{DNK}}
|[[Conservative People's Party (Denmark)|Conservative People's Party]]<br />{{lang|da|Det Konservative Folkeparti}}
|C
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|10|179|#004931}}
|{{no2|Opposition}}
|-
|[[Christian Democrats (Denmark)|Christian Democrats]]<br />{{lang|da|Kristendemokraterne}}
|KD
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|0|179|{{EUPP data|color}}}}
|{{no|Extra-parliamentary}}
|-
|{{EST}}
|[[Isamaa]]
|I
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|11|101|#009CE2}}
|{{no2|Opposition}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{FIN}}
|[[National Coalition Party]]<br />{{lang|fi|Kansallinen Kokoomus}}<br />{{lang|sv|Samlingspartiet}}
|KOK
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|48|200|#006288}}
|{{yes|Government}}
|-
| [[Christian Democrats (Finland)|Christian Democrats]]<br />{{lang|fi|Kristillisdemokraatit}}<br />{{lang|sv|Kristdemokraterna}}
|KD
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|5|200|#0235A4}}
|{{yes|Government}}
|-
|{{FRA}}
|[[The Republicans (France)|The Republicans]]<br />{{lang|fr|Les Républicains}}
|LR
|{{Composition bar|52|577|#0066CC}}
|{{Composition bar|139|348|#0066CC}}
|{{yes|Government}} 
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{DEU}}
|[[Christian Democratic Union of Germany]]<br />{{lang|de|Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands}}
|CDU
|{{Composition bar|151|735|#000000}}
|{{Composition bar|22|69|#000000}}
|{{yes|Government}}
|-
|[[Christian Social Union in Bavaria]]<br />{{lang|de|Christlich-Soziale Union in Bayern}}
|CSU
|{{Composition bar|45|735|#008AC5}}
|{{Composition bar|4|69|#008AC5}}
|{{yes|Government}}
|-
|{{GRC}}
|[[New Democracy (Greece)|New Democracy]]<br />{{lang|el|Νέα Δημοκρατία}}<br />{{lang|el|Nea Dimokratia}}
|ND
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|158|300|#166BC7}}
|{{yes|Government}}
|-
|{{HUN}}
|[[Tisza Party|Respect and Freedom Party]]<br />{{lang|hu|Tisztelet és Szabadság Párt}}
| TISZA
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|0|199|#0}}
|{{no|Extra-parliamentary}}
|-
|{{IRL}}
|[[Fine Gael]]
|FG
|{{Composition bar|38|174|#009FF3}}
|{{Composition bar|17|60|#009FF3}}
|{{yes|Government}}
|-
| rowspan="7" |{{ITA}}
|[[Forza Italia (2013)|Forza Italia]]
|FI
|{{Composition bar|49|400|#0087DC}}
|{{Composition bar|20|200|#0087DC}}
|{{yes|Government}}
|-
|[[Us Moderates]]<br />{{lang|it|Noi Moderati}}
|NM
|{{Composition bar|7|400|{{party colour|Us Moderates}}}}
|{{Composition bar|2|200|{{party colour|Us Moderates}}}}
|{{yes|Government}}
|-
|[[South Tyrolean People's Party]]<br />{{lang|de|Südtiroler Volkspartei}}
|SVP
|{{Composition bar|3|400|#000000}}
|{{Composition bar|2|200|#000000}}
|{{no2|Opposition}}
|-
|[[Union of the Centre (2002)|Union of the Centre]]<br />{{lang|it|Unione di Centro}}
|UdC
|{{Composition bar|1|400|{{EUPP data|color}}}}
|{{Composition bar|1|200|#87CEFA}}
|{{yes|Government}}
|-
|[[Trentino Tyrolean Autonomist Party]]<br />{{lang|it|Partito Autonomista Trentino Tirolese}}
|PATT
|{{Composition bar|0|400|#000000}}
|{{Composition bar|0|200|#000000}}
|{{no|Extra-parliamentary}}
|-
|[[Popular Alternative]]<br />{{lang|it|Alternativa Popolare}}
|AP
|{{Composition bar|0|400|{{EUPP data|color}}}}
|{{Composition bar|0|200|{{EUPP data|color}}}}
|{{no|Extra-parliamentary}}
|-
|[[Popular Base]]<br />{{lang|it|Base Popolare}}
|BP
|{{composition bar|0|400|{{party color|Popular Base}}}}
|{{composition bar|0|200|{{party color|Popular Base}}}}
|{{no|Extra-parliamentary}}
|-
|{{LVA}}
|[[Unity (Latvia)|Unity]]<br />{{lang|lv|Vienotība}}
|V
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|23|100|#99CC33}}
|{{yes|Government}}
|-
|{{LTU}}
|[[Homeland Union|Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats]]<br />{{lang|lt|Tėvynės sąjunga – Lietuvos krikščionys demokratai}}
|TS-LKD
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|28|141|#0080FF}}
|{{no2|Opposition}}
|-
|{{LUX}}
|[[Christian Social People's Party]]<br />{{lang|lb|Chrëschtlech Sozial Vollekspartei}}<br />{{lang|fr|Parti populaire chrétien social}}<br />{{lang|de|Christlich Soziale Volkspartei}}
|CSV/PCS
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|21|60|#F7911D}}
|{{yes|Government}}
|-
|{{MLT}}
|[[Nationalist Party (Malta)|Nationalist Party]]<br />{{lang|mt|Partit Nazzjonalista}}
|PN
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|35|79|#5087B2}}
|{{no2|Opposition}}
|-
|{{NLD}}
|[[Christian Democratic Appeal]]<br />{{lang|nl|Christen-Democratisch Appèl}}
|CDA
|{{Composition bar|5|150|#007C5E}}
|{{Composition bar|6|75|#007C5E}}
|{{no2|Opposition}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{POL}}
|[[Civic Platform]]<br />{{lang|pl|Platforma Obywatelska}}
|PO
|{{Composition bar|127|460|#FCA241}}
|{{Composition bar|41|100|#FCA241}}
|{{yes|Government}}
|-
|[[Polish People's Party]]<br />{{lang|pl|Polskie Stronnictwo Ludowe}}
|PSL
|{{Composition bar|28|460|#1BB100}}
|{{Composition bar|4|100|#1BB100}}
|{{yes|Government}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{PRT}}
|[[Social Democratic Party (Portugal)|Social Democratic Party]]<br />{{lang|pt|Partido Social Democrata}}
|PPD/PSD
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|89|230|#FF9900}}
|{{yes|Government}}
|-
|[[CDS – People's Party|Democratic and Social Centre – People's Party]]<br />{{lang|pt|Centro Democrático e Social – Partido Popular}}
|CDS-PP
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|2|230|#0093DD}}
|{{yes|Government}}
|-
| rowspan="3" |{{ROM}}
|[[National Liberal Party (Romania)|National Liberal Party]]<br />{{lang|ro|Partidul Național Liberal}}
|PNL
|{{Composition bar|80|330|#FFDD00}}
|{{Composition bar|38|136|#FFDD00}}
|{{yes|Government}}
|-
|[[Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania]]<br />{{lang|hu|Romániai Magyar Demokrata Szövetség}}<br />{{lang|ro|Uniunea Democrată Maghiară din România}}
|UDMR
|{{Composition bar|20|330|#296633}}
|{{Composition bar|9|136|#296633}}
|{{no2|Opposition}}
|-
|[[People's Movement Party]]<br />{{lang|ro|Partidul Mișcarea Populară}}
|PMP
|{{Composition bar|0|330|#90ee90}}
|{{Composition bar|0|136|#90ee90}}
|{{no|Extra-parliamentary}}
|-
| rowspan="4" |{{SVK}}
|[[Christian Democratic Movement]]<br />{{lang|sk|Kresťanskodemokratické hnutie}}
|KDH
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|12|150|{{party color|Christian Democratic Movement}}}}
|{{no2|Opposition}} 
|-
|[[Democrats (Slovakia)|Democrats]]<br />{{lang|sk|Demokrati}}
|D
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|0|150|{{party color|Democrats (Slovakia)}}}}
|{{no|Extra-parliamentary}} 
|-
|[[Hungarian Alliance (Slovak political party)|Hungarian Alliance]]<br />{{lang|hu|Magyar Szövetség}}<br />{{lang|sk|Maďarská Aliancia}}
|MA
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|0|150|{{party color|Alliance (Slovak political party)}}}}
|{{no|Extra-parliamentary}} 
|-
|[[Slovakia (political party)|Slovakia]]<br />{{lang|sk|Slovensko}}
|Slovensko
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|16|150|{{party color|Ordinary People and Independent Personalities}}}}
|{{no2|Opposition}} 
|-
| rowspan="3" |{{SVN}}
|[[Slovenian Democratic Party]]<br />{{lang|sl|Slovenska demokratska stranka}}
|SDS
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|26|90|#fcda00}}
|{{no2|Opposition}}
|-
|[[Slovenian People's Party]]<br />{{lang|sl|Slovenska ljudska stranka}}
|SLS
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|0|90|{{EUPP data|color}}}}
|{{no|Extra-parliamentary}}
|-
|[[New Slovenia|New Slovenia–Christian Democrats]]<br />{{lang|sl|Nova Slovenija – Krščanski demokrati}}
|NSi
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|7|90|#009ac9}}
|{{no2|Opposition}}
|-
|{{ESP}}
|[[People's Party (Spain)|People's Party]]<br />{{lang|es|Partido Popular}}
|PP
|{{Composition bar|137|350|#1D84CE}}
|{{Composition bar|140|266|#1D84CE}}
|{{no2|Opposition}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{SWE}}
|[[Moderate Party]]<br />{{lang|sv|Moderata samlingspartiet}}
| {{party abbr|Moderate Party}}
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|68|349|#019CDB}}
|{{yes|Government}}
|-
|[[Christian Democrats (Sweden)|Christian Democrats]]<br />{{lang|sv|Kristdemokraterna}}
| {{party abbr|Christian Democrats (Sweden)}}
| colspan="2" |{{Composition bar|19|349|#2D338E}}
|{{yes|Government}}
|}

=== Associate members ===
{{ALB}}
* [[Democratic Party of Albania]] (PD)

{{BIH}}
* [[Party of Democratic Action]] (SDA)
* [[Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina|Croatian Democratic Union]] (HDZ BiH)
* [[Party of Democratic Progress]] (PDP)

{{GEO}}
* [[United National Movement (Georgia)|United National Movement]] (UNM)

{{ISL}}
* [[Independence Party (Iceland)|Independence Party]] (XD)

{{MNE}}
* [[Bosniak Party]] (BS)

{{NMK}}
* [[Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization – Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity]] (VMRO–DPMNE)

{{NOR}}
* [[Conservative Party (Norway)|Conservative Party]] (H)

{{SRB}}
* [[Serbian Progressive Party]] (SNS)
* [[Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians]] (VMSZ/SVM)

{{CHE}}
* [[The Centre (political party)|The Centre]] (DM/LC)

{{UKR}}
* [[European Solidarity]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Європейська солідарність отримала статус асоційованого члена ЄНП |url=https://prm.ua/yevropeyska-solidarnist-ofitsiyno-otrymala-status-asotsiyovanoho-chlena-yenp-herashchenko/ |language=uk}}</ref>

=== Observer members ===
{{ARM}}
* [[Republican Party of Armenia]] (HHK)
* [[Heritage (Armenia)|Heritage]]

{{BLR}}
* [[Belarusian Christian Democracy]] (BCD)
* [[United Civic Party of Belarus]] (AHP)
* {{Interlanguage link|За Свабоду|be-tarask}} (The Movement for Freedom; MFF)<ref>[http://pyx.by/eng/news/5657/ The MFF is admitted to the EPP] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115234414/http://pyx.by/eng/news/5657/ |date=15 January 2019 }}. http://pyx.by {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001202145/http://pyx.by/ |date=1 October 2016 }}. Retrieved on 15 January 2019.</ref>

{{BIH}}
* [[Croatian Democratic Union 1990]] (HDZ 1990)

{{GEO}}
* [[European Georgia]]

{{flag|Kosovo}}
* [[Democratic League of Kosovo]] (LDK)

{{MDA}}
* [[Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova]] (PLDM)
* [[Dignity and Truth Platform Party]] (PPDA)
* [[Party of Action and Solidarity]] (PAS)

{{NOR}}
* [[Christian Democratic Party (Norway)|Christian Democratic Party]] (KrF)

{{SMR}}
* [[Sammarinese Christian Democratic Party]] (PDCS)

{{UKR}}
* [[Batkivshchyna]] (since 2008)
* [[Self Reliance (political party)|Self Reliance]] (since 2019)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.epp.eu/press-releases/epp-political-assembly-remains-committed-to-spitzenkandidat-process-welcomes-new-ukrainian-parties/|title=EPP Political Assembly remains committed to Spitzenkandidat process; welcomes new Ukrainian parties|work=epp.eu|date=4 June 2019|access-date=4 June 2019}}</ref>
* [[Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform]] (UDAR)

=== Former members ===
{{ARM}}
* [[Rule of Law (Armenia)|Rule of Law]] (OEK), observer member

{{BEL}}
* [[Les Engagés]] (LE)

{{BLR}}
* [[Belarusian Popular Front]] (BNF), observer member until 2017

{{FRA}}
* [[Centre of Social Democrats]]<ref name="JansenHecke2011">{{cite book|author1=Thomas Jansen|author2=Steven Van Hecke|title=At Europe's Service: The Origins and Evolution of the European People's Party|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kXEA8XGdEb8C&pg=PA51|year=2011|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-3-642-19414-6|page=51}}</ref>
* [[Union for French Democracy]]<ref name="JansenHecke2011"/>
* [[Rally for the Republic]], merged with UMP<ref name="JansenHecke2011"/>
* [[Union for a Popular Movement]] (UMP), succeeded by The Republicans, current EPP member<ref name="JansenHecke2011"/>

{{CRO}}
* [[Croatian Peasant Party]] (HSS), member until withdrawal May 2019

{{HUN}}
* [[Fidesz]], suspended from March 20, 2019.<ref name="Fid-EPP">{{cite web|title=European center right suspends Hungarian PM Orbán|date=20 March 2019|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/orbans-party-suspended-from-european-peoples-party/|access-date=20 March 2019}}</ref> Left EPP on March 18, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/hungary-viktor-orbans-ruling-fidesz-party-quits-european-peoples-party/a-56919987|title=Hungary: Viktor Orban's ruling Fidesz party quits European People's Party|date=18 March 2021|website=[[Deutsche Welle]]}}</ref>
* [[Hungarian Democratic Forum]], member until September 7, 2009.
* [[Christian Democratic People's Party (Hungary)|Christian Democratic People's Party]], member until June 19, 2024.

{{ITA}}
* [[Christian Democracy (Italy)|Christian Democracy]]<ref name="JansenHecke2011"/>
* [[Italian People's Party (1994)|Italian People's Party]]<ref name="JansenHecke2011"/>
* [[Christian Democratic Centre]]<ref name="JansenHecke2011"/>
* [[United Christian Democrats]]<ref name="JansenHecke2011"/>
* [[Italian Renewal]]<ref name="JansenHecke2011"/>
* [[Union of Democrats for Europe]]<ref name="JansenHecke2011"/>
* [[The People of Freedom]]<ref name="JansenHecke2011"/>
* [[New Centre-Right]]

{{ROM}}
* [[Democratic Party (Romania)|Democratic Party]] (PD)
* [[Democratic Liberal Party (Romania)|Democratic Liberal Party]] (PDL), merged with PNL, current EPP member
* [[Christian Democratic National Peasants' Party]] (PNȚ-CD)

{{SVK}}
* [[Slovak Democratic and Christian Union – Democratic Party]] (SDKÚ-DS)
* [[Most-Híd]]
* [[Party of the Hungarian Community]]

{{ESP}}
* [[Basque Nationalist Party]]<ref name="JansenHecke2011"/>
* [[People's Democratic Party (Spain)|People's Democratic Party]]<ref name="JansenHecke2011"/>

{{TUR}}
* [[Justice and Development Party (Turkey)|Justice and Development Party]] (observer)

{{UKR}}
* [[People's Movement of Ukraine]] (observer)
* [[Our Ukraine (political party)|Our Ukraine]] (observer)

== Governance ==
The EPP is governed by the EU Regulation No 1141/2014 on European Political Parties and European Political Foundations and its operations are supervised by the EU Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations.

=== Presidency ===
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 of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy|High Representative]] (if they are a member of an EPP member party) are all ''ex officio'' Vice-Presidents.
[[File:Manfred Weber May 2023.jpg|thumb|President of the EPP [[Manfred Weber]]]]

As of 30 April 2025 the Presidency of the EPP is:<ref>{{Cite web|title=EPP Presidency 2025-04-30|url=https://www.appf.europa.eu/cmsdata/295284/EPP%20Presidency%202025-04-30.pdf|website= [[Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations]]|date= 30 April 2025|access-date=11 May 2025}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Manfred Weber]] – President
* {{flagicon|France}} [[François-Xavier Bellamy]] – Treasurer
* {{flagicon|Spain}} [[Dolors Montserrat]] – Secretary General
* {{flagicon|Austria}} [[Magnus Brunner]] – Vice-President
* {{flagicon|Croatia}} [[Dubravka Šuica]] – Vice-President
* {{flagicon|Finland}} [[Petteri Orpo]] – Vice-President
* {{flagicon|Germany}} [[David McAllister]] – Vice-President
* {{flagicon|Greece}} [[Kostis Hatzidakis]] – Vice-President
* {{flagicon|Ireland}} [[Mairead McGuinness]] – Vice-President
* {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Antonio Tajani]] – Vice-President
* {{flagicon|Poland}} [[Andrzej Halicki]] – Vice-President
* {{flagicon|Portugal}} [[Paulo Rangel]] – Vice-President
* {{flagicon|Romania}} [[Siegfried Mureşan]] – Vice-President
* {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Ursula von der Leyen]] – ''Ex Officio'' Member
* {{flagicon|Malta}} [[Roberta Metsola]] – ''Ex Officio'' Member
* {{flagicon|Finland}} [[Sari Rautio]] – ''Ex Officio'' Member

=== EPP Political Assembly ===
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 ===
The Congress is the highest decision-making body of the EPP. It is composed of delegates from member parties, EPP associations, [[European People's Party (European Parliament group)|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.{{sfn|Jansen|Van Hecke|2011|p=109}}

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 ==
=== Summit ===
[[File:EPP Summit March 2011 (65).jpg|thumb|Reunion Picture at 2011 Summit]]
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 of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy|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.

=== Ministerial meetings ===
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 [[Member of the European Parliament|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<ref>{{cite web |url=http://epp.eu/council.asp?z=5D5A |title=EPP website |access-date=23 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110908152009/http://epp.eu/council.asp?z=5D5A |archive-date=8 September 2011}}</ref>

=== Other activities ===
The EPP also organises working groups on different issues 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 European political parties in 2007, the EPP, like the other European parties, was 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 [[José Manuel Barroso]] for a second term in April 2009.

The year 2014 saw the first fully-fledged campaign of the EPP ahead of the [[2014 European Parliament election|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 EU institutions ==
As of 1 December 2019, the EPP holds the Presidency of the European Commission with [[Ursula von der Leyen]] (CDU).

=== Overview of European institutions ===
{| class="wikitable"
<!-- Values derived from Wikidata; do not manually edit -> https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q208242 -->
|-
! Organisation !! Institution !! Number of seats 
|-
|rowspan=5 | {{EU}} || [[European Parliament]] || {{EUPP data|seat composition bar|EP|percent=yes|reference=yes}}
|-
| [[European Commission]] || {{EUPP data|seat composition bar|EC|percent=yes|reference=yes}}
|-
| [[European Council]]<br /><small>(Heads of Government)</small> || {{EUPP data|seat composition bar|EUCO|percent=yes|reference=yes}}
|-
| [[Council of the European Union]]<br /><small>(Participation in Government)</small> ||
|-
| [[Committee of the Regions]] || {{EUPP data|seat composition bar|COR|percent=yes|reference=yes}}
|-
| {{flag|Council of Europe}} (as part of {{wikidata|property|Q132153817|P1813}})|| [[Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe|Parliamentary Assembly]] ||  {{Composition bar|{{wikidata|property|Q132153817|P1410|P194=Q939743}}|{{wikidata|property|Q939743|P1342}}|hex={{EUPP data|color}}|per=1}} {{wikidata|references|Q132153817|P1410|P194=Q939743}} <!-- Values derived from Wikidata; do not manually edit -> https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q132153817 -->
|}

=== European Commission ===
Following EPP's victory in the [[2019 European Parliament election]], [[Ursula von der Leyen]] was nominated by the EPP as [[President of the European Commission|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 I|von der Leyen Commission]] officially took office. It includes 11 EPP officeholders out of 27 total Commissioners.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!State
!Commissioner
!Portfolio
!Political party
! class="unsortable" style="width:100px;"|Portrait
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | {{flagicon|Germany}}<br />[[List of European Commissioners by nationality#Germany|Germany]]
|<span style="display:none">von der Leyen</span>[[Ursula von der Leyen]]
|[[President of the European Commission|President]]
|[[Christian Democratic Union of Germany|CDU]]
|[[File:(Ursula von der Leyen) 2019.07.16. Ursula von der Leyen presents her vision to MEPs 2 (cropped).jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | {{flagicon|Latvia}}<br />[[Latvian European Commissioner|Latvia]]
|<span style="display:none">Dombrovskis</span>[[Valdis Dombrovskis]]
|Executive Vice President – An Economy that Works for the People, Trade
|[[Unity (Latvian political party)|Unity]]
|[[File:Valdis Dombrovskis 2009.jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | {{flagicon|Croatia}}<br />[[Belgian European Commissioner|Croatia]]
|<span style="display:none">Šuica</span>[[Dubravka Šuica]]
|Vice President – Democracy and Demography
|[[Croatian Democratic Union|HDZ]]
|[[File:Hearing of Dubravka Šuica (Croatia) - Democracy and demography (48838221291) (cropped).jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | {{flagicon|Greece}}<br />[[List of European Commissioners by nationality#Greece|Greece]]
|<span style="display:none">Schinas</span>[[Margaritis Schinas]]
|Vice President – Promoting the European Way of Life
|[[New Democracy (Greece)|ND]]
|[[File:EPP Summit, Maastricht, October 2016 (30154973070) (cropped).jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | {{flagicon|Austria}}<br />[[Austrian European Commissioner|Austria]]
|<span style="display:none">Hahn</span>[[Johannes Hahn]]
|Commissioner for Budget and Administration
|[[Austrian People's Party|ÖVP]]
|[[File:Johannes Hahn - 2023 - P060002-577174 (cropped).jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | {{flagicon|Netherlands}}<br />[[Dutch European Commissioner|Netherlands]]
|<span style="display:none">Hoekstra</span>[[Wopke Hoekstra]]
|European Commissioner for Climate Action
|[[Christian Democratic Appeal|CDA]]
|[[File:Wopke Hoekstra op bezoek op het ROC Mondriaan 02 (cropped).jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | {{flagicon|Ireland}}<br />[[List of European Commissioners by nationality#Ireland|Ireland]]
|<span style="display:none">McGuinness</span>[[Mairead McGuinness]]
|Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and the Capital Markets Union
|[[Fine Gael|FG]]
|[[File:Mairead McGuinness, Ireland-MIP-Europaparlament-by-Leila-Paul-2.jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | {{flagicon|Bulgaria}}<br />[[List of European Commissioners by nationality#Bulgaria|Bulgaria]]
|<span style="display:none">Gabriel</span>[[Iliana Ivanova]]
|Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth
|[[GERB]]
|[[File:Hearing of Iliana Ivanova at the European Parliament, 2023 (1).jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | {{flagicon|Cyprus}}<br />[[List of European Commissioners by nationality#Cyprus|Cyprus]]
||<span style="display:none">Kyriakides</span>[[Stella Kyriakides]]
|Commissioner for Health and Food Safety
|[[Democratic Rally|DISY]]
|[[File:Hearings Hearings Stella Kyriakides (Cyprus) - Health (48828012607) (cropped).jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | {{flagicon|Romania}}<br />[[List of European Commissioners by nationality#Romania|Romania]]
||<span style="display:none">Vălean</span>[[Adina-Ioana Vălean]]
|Commissioner for Transport
|[[National Liberal Party (Romania)|PNL]]
|[[File:Hearing of Adina-Ioana Vălean (Romania)- Commissioner Designate - European Green Deal (49063874993) (cropped).jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | {{flagicon|Hungary}}<br />[[List of European Commissioners by nationality#Hungary|Hungary]]
|<span style="display:none">Várhelyi</span>[[Olivér Várhelyi]]
|Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement
|[[Independent politician|Ind.]]{{efn|Independent on the national level but affiliated with EPP at the EU level}}
||[[File:Hearing of Olivér Várhelyi (Hungary) - Designate - Neighbourhood and Enlargement (49063520601) (cropped).jpg|100px]]
|}

=== European Parliament ===
{{main|European People's Party (European Parliament group)}}

The EPP has the largest group in the [[European Parliament]]: the [[European People's Party (European Parliament group)|EPP Group]]. It currently has 182 Members in 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 ===
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 May 2025):

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!align=left|Member state
!align=left|Representative
!align=left|Title
!align=left|Political party
!align=left|Member of the Council since
! class="unsortable" style="width:100px;"|Portrait
|-
|{{Flag|Austria}}
|[[Christian Stocker]]
|{{sort|1|[[Chancellor of Austria|Chancellor]]}}
|[[Austrian People's Party|ÖVP]]
|3 March 2025
|[[File:Christian Stocker 2025 (cropped) (cropped).jpg|123x123px]]
|-
|{{Flag|Bulgaria}}
|[[Rosen Zhelyazkov]]
|{{sort|1|[[Prime Minister of Bulgaria|Prime Minister]]}}
|[[GERB]]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2025|01|16}}
|[[File:Rosen Zhelyazkov.png|123x123px]]
|-
|{{Flag|Croatia}}
|{{sortname|Andrej|Plenković}}
|{{sort|1|[[Prime Minister of Croatia|Prime Minister]]}}
|[[Croatian Democratic Union|HDZ]]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2016|10|19}}
|[[File:Andrej Plenković 2017.jpg|100px]]
|-
|{{Flag|Germany}}
|{{sortname|Friedrich|Merz}}
|{{sort|1|[[Chancellor of Germany|Chancellor]]}}
|[[Christian Democratic Union of Germany|CDU]]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2025|05|06}}
|[[File:2024-08-21 Event, CDU, Wahlkampf mit Friedrich Merz in Erfurt 2024 STP 3041 by Stepro (cropped).jpg|100px]]
|-
|{{Flag|Finland}}
|{{sortname|Petteri|Orpo}} 
|{{sort|1|[[Prime Minister of Finland|Prime Minister]]}}
|[[National Coalition Party|Kok.]]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2023|6|20}}
|[[File:Petteri-Orpo-01 (cropped).jpg|100px]]
|-
|{{Flag|Greece}}
|{{sortname|Kyriakos|Mitsotakis}} 
|{{sort|1|[[Prime Minister of Greece|Prime Minister]]}}
|[[New Democracy (Greece)|ND]]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2019|7|8}}
|[[File:Kyriakos Mitsotakis (cropped).jpg|100px]]
|-
|{{Flag|Latvia}}
|{{sortname|Evika|Siliņa}}
|{{sort|1|[[Prime Minister of Latvia|Prime Minister]]}}
|[[Unity (Latvian political party)|Unity]]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2023|9|15}}
|[[File:Evika Siliņa (2023-09-15, cropped).jpg|100px]]
|-
|{{Flag|Luxembourg}}
|{{sortname|Luc|Frieden}}
|{{sort|1|[[Prime Minister of Luxembourg|Prime Minister]]}}
|[[Christian Social People's Party|CSV]]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2023|11|17}}
|[[File:EPP Summit, 19 December, Brussels (54214341758) (cropped).jpg|100px]]
|-
|{{Flag|Poland}}
|{{sortname|Donald|Tusk}}
|{{sort|1|[[Prime Minister of Poland|Prime Minister]]}}
|[[Civic Platform|KO]]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2023|12|13}}
| [[File:EPP Summit, 29 June, Brussels (53287183894) (cropped2).jpg|100px]]
|-
|{{Flag|Portugal}}
|{{sortname|Luís|Montenegro}}
|{{sort|1|[[Prime Minister of Portugal|Prime Minister]]}}
|[[Social Democratic Party (Portugal)|PSD]]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2024|4|2}}
| [[File:Luis Montenegro at EPP Summit, 21 March, Brussels.jpg|100px]]
|-
|{{Flag|Sweden}}
|{{sortname|Ulf|Kristersson}}
|{{sort|1|[[Prime Minister of Sweden|Prime Minister]]}}
|[[Moderate Party|M]]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2022|10|18}}
|[[File:Ulf Kristersson January 2023.jpg|100px]]
|}

=== National legislatures ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Country
! Institution
! Number of seats
|-
| rowspan=2| {{AUT}}
| [[National Council of Austria|National Council]]<br />{{small|Lower house}}
| {{Composition bar|71|183|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| [[Federal Council of Austria|Federal Council]]<br />{{small|Upper house}}
| {{Composition bar|22|61|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| rowspan=2| {{BEL}}
| [[Chamber of Representatives (Belgium)|Chamber of Representatives]]<br />{{small|Lower house}}
| {{Composition bar|17|150|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| [[Senate (Belgium)|Senate]]<br />{{small|Upper house}}
| {{Composition bar|7|60|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| {{BUL}}
| [[National Assembly of Bulgaria|National Assembly]]
| {{Composition bar|83|240|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| {{CRO}}
| [[Sabor]]
| {{Composition bar|62|151|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| {{CYP}}
| [[House of Representatives of Cyprus|House of Representatives]]
| {{Composition bar|18|56|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| rowspan=2| {{CZE}}
| [[Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic|Chamber of Deputies]]<br />{{small|Lower house}}
| {{Composition bar|70|200|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| [[Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic|Senate]]<br />{{small|Upper house}}
| {{Composition bar|34|81|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| {{DNK}}
| The [[Folketing]]
| {{Composition bar|13|179|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| {{EST}}
| [[Riigikogu]]
| {{Composition bar|12|101|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| {{FIN}}
| [[Parliament of Finland|Parliament]]
| {{Composition bar|38|200|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| rowspan=2| {{FRA}}
| [[National Assembly of France|National Assembly]]<br />{{small|Lower house}}
| {{Composition bar|104|577|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| [[Senate of France|Senate]]<br />{{small|Upper house}}
| {{Composition bar|148|348|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| {{DEU}}
| [[Bundestag]]
| {{Composition bar|196|735|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| {{GRC}}
| [[Hellenic Parliament|Parliament]]
| {{Composition bar|158|300|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| {{HUN}}
| [[National Assembly of Hungary|Országgyűlés]]
| {{Composition bar|17|199|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| rowspan=2| {{IRL}}
| [[Dáil Éireann|Dáil]]<br />{{small|Lower house}}
| {{Composition bar|35|160|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| [[Seanad Éireann|Seanad]]<br />{{small|Upper house}}
| {{Composition bar|15|60|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| rowspan=2| {{ITA}}
| [[Italian Chamber of Deputies|Chamber of Deputies]]<br />{{small|Lower house}}
| {{Composition bar|88|630|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| [[Italian Senate|Senate]]<br />{{small|Upper house}}
| {{Composition bar|55|321|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| {{LVA}}
| [[Saeima]]
| {{Composition bar|23|100|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| {{LTU}}
| [[Seimas]]
| {{Composition bar|50|141|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| {{LUX}}
| [[Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg|Chamber of Deputies]]
| {{Composition bar|21|60|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| {{MLT}}
| [[House of Representatives of Malta|House of Representatives]]
| {{Composition bar|28|67|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| rowspan=2| {{NLD}}
| [[House of Representatives of the Netherlands|House of Representatives]]<br />{{small|Lower house}}
| {{Composition bar|5|150|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| [[Senate of the Netherlands|Senate]]<br />{{small|Upper house}}
| {{Composition bar|6|75|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| rowspan=2| {{POL}}
| [[Sejm of the Republic of Poland|Sejm]]<br />{{small|Lower house}}
| {{Composition bar|155|460|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| [[Senate of the Republic of Poland|Senate]]<br />{{small|Upper house}}
| {{Composition bar|45|100|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| {{PRT}}
| [[Assembly of the Republic (Portugal)|Assembly of the Republic]]
| {{Composition bar|91|230|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| rowspan=2| {{ROU}}
| [[Chamber of Deputies of Romania|Chamber of Deputies]]<br />{{small|Lower house}}
| {{Composition bar|100|330|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| [[Senate of Romania|Senate]]<br />{{small|Upper house}}
| {{Composition bar|47|136|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| {{SVK}}
| [[National Council of the Slovak Republic|National Council]]
| {{Composition bar|53|150|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| {{SVN}}
| [[National Assembly (Slovenia)|National Assembly]]
| {{Composition bar|33|90|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| rowspan=2| {{ESP}}
| [[Congress of Deputies (Spain)|Congress of Deputies]]<br />{{small|Lower house}}
| {{Composition bar|137|350|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| [[Senate of Spain|Senate]]<br />{{small|Upper house}}
| {{Composition bar|144|266|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|-
| {{SWE}}
| [[Riksdag]]
| {{Composition bar|87|349|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|}

== Activities beyond the European Union ==
=== In third countries ===
Through its associate and observer parties the EPP has six head of state or government in non-EU countries:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!align=left|State
!align=left|Representative
!align=left|Title
!align=left|Political party
!align=left|In power since
! class="unsortable" style="width:100px;"|Portrait
|-
|{{Flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}
|[[Borjana Krišto]]
|[[Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina|Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers]]
|[[Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina|HDZ BiH]]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2023|1|25}}
|[[File:Borjana Krišto (2025-06-11).jpg|100px]]
|-
|{{Flag|Moldova}}
|[[Maia Sandu]]
|[[President of Moldova|President]]
|[[Action and Solidarity Party|PAS]]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2020|12|24}}
|[[File:Sandu March 2024.jpg|100px]]
|-
|{{Flag|North Macedonia}}
|[[Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova]]
|[[President of North Macedonia|President]]
|[[VMRO-DPMNE]]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2024|5|12}}
|[[File:MK presidential office handover 2024 - Cropped.jpg|100px]]
|-
|{{Flag|North Macedonia}}
|[[Hristijan Mickoski]]
|[[Prime Minister of North Macedonia|Prime Minister]]
|[[VMRO-DPMNE]]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2024|6|23}}
|[[File:Hristijan Mickoski official portrait 2024 (cropped).jpg|100px]]
|-
|{{Flag|Serbia}}
|[[Aleksandar Vučić]]
|[[President of Serbia|President]]
|[[Serbian Progressive Party|SNS]]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2017|5|31}}
|[[File:Aleksandar Vučić 2019 (cropped).jpg|100px]]
|-
|{{Flag|Switzerland}}
|[[Martin Pfister]]
|[[Federal Council (Switzerland)|Federal Councillor]]
|[[The Centre (political party)|The Centre]]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2025|4|1}}
|[[File:20250311-Martin-Pfister (cropped 3x4).jpg|100px]]
|}

=== In the Council of Europe ===
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 [[Davor Ivo Stier]], a member of the [[Croatian Democratic Union]].

The EPP/CD group also includes members from parties that are not related to the EPP itself, including members of the [[Patriotic Union (Liechtenstein)|Patriotic Union]] (Liechtenstein), the [[Progressive Citizens' Party]] (Liechtenstein), and the [[National and Democratic Union]] (Monaco).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://assembly.coe.int/ASP/AssemblyList/Annuaire_02W_Groups.asp?GroupID=2 |title=PACE website |access-date=21 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831222144/http://assembly.coe.int/ASP/AssemblyList/Annuaire_02W_Groups.asp?GroupID=2 |archive-date=31 August 2012}}</ref>

=== In the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe ===
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 regularly 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)|Patriotic Union]] (Liechtenstein), the [[Union for the Principality]] (Monaco), the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] of the United Kingdom, the [[Conservative Party of Canada]], and the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] of the United States.

=== In the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ===
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 [[Christian Democratic Union of Germany|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 (United States)|Republican Party]] of the United States, but now they are members of the [[European Conservatives and Reformists Party|Conservative Group]]
[[File:Flickr - europeanpeoplesparty - EPP in the USA (26).jpg|thumb|From left to right: López-Istúriz, McCain & Martens]]

=== Relations with the United States ===
The EPP has close relations with the [[International Republican Institute]] (IRI), an organisation funded by the U.S. government especially to promote democracy and democratisation. The EPP and the IRI cooperate within the framework of the European Partnership Initiative.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iri.org/countries-and-programs/europe/european-partnership-initiative |title=European Partnership Initiative &#124; International Republican Institute |publisher=IRI |access-date=11 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111111082437/http://www.iri.org/countries-and-programs/europe/european-partnership-initiative |archive-date=11 November 2011}}</ref>

The EPP's late President, Wilfried Martens, endorsed Senator [[John McCain]], the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[presidential nominee|nominee for president]], in the [[2008 United States presidential election|presidential election in 2008]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://epp.eu/press.asp?artid=369&fullview=1 |title=Financial Times Article Wilfried Martens |publisher=Epp.eu |access-date=11 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331085520/http://epp.eu/press.asp?artid=369&fullview=1 |archive-date=31 March 2012}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressOffice.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=1b991685-0507-60a4-02b5-6766a22b9ae0 |title=United States Senator John McCain:: Press Office |publisher=Mccain.senate.gov |date=30 August 2011 |access-date=11 September 2011 |archive-date=25 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225122308/http://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressOffice.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=1b991685-0507-60a4-02b5-6766a22b9ae0 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://epp.eu/press.asp?artid=1626&fullview=1 |title=Senator McCain and President Martens urge for the release of Yulia Tymoshenko |publisher=Epp.eu |access-date=11 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331085530/http://epp.eu/press.asp?artid=1626&fullview=1 |archive-date=31 March 2012}}</ref>

=== Global networks ===
The EPP is the European wing of two global centre-right organisations, the [[International Democracy Union]] (IDU) and the [[Centrist Democrat International]] (CDI).

== Martens Centre ==
{{main|Martens Centre}}

Following the revision in 2007 of the EU Regulation that governs European political parties, allowing the creation of affiliated [[European political foundation]]s, the EPP established in the same year its official foundation/think tank, the Centre for European Studies (CES), which was later renamed as the [[Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies|Martens Centre]]. It 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 [[FAES|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 Centre 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 also founded the CES – changed its name to Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies or simply [[Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies|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|date=November 2013}}

== EPP associations ==
{{unreferenced section|date=February 2013}}
{{update|date=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) ===
{{main|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 [[Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs|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 ===
{{main|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<ref>[http://thinkingeurope.eu/publications/students-right-way-european-democrat-students-1961-2011 Students on the Right Way: European Democrat Students 1961–2011] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203172838/http://thinkingeurope.eu/publications/students-right-way-european-democrat-students-1961-2011 |date=3 February 2014}}. thinkingeurope.eu. Retrieved on 7 September 2013.</ref> in 31 countries, including Belarus and [[Georgia (country)|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 ===
{{main|European Seniors' Union}}

Founded in [[Madrid]] in 1995 and led by [[An Hermans]] of the [[Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams|CD&V]], the [[European Seniors' Union]] (ESU) is the largest political senior citizens' organisation in Europe. The ESU is represented in 27 countries with 34 organisations and about 500.000 members.

=== European Union of Christian Democratic Workers ===
The European Union of Christian Democratic Workers (EUCDW) is the labour organisation of the EPP, with 24 member organisations in 18 countries. As the officially recognised EPP association of workers, the EUCDW is led by [[Dennis Radtke]], [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]]. It aims at the political unification of a democratic Europe, the development of the EPP based on Christian social teaching, and the defence of workers' interests in European policy-making.

=== Women of the European People's Party ===
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 ===
{{main|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.

== Election results ==
'''European Parliament'''
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
! colspan=2| Year
! Lead Candidate
! Seats %
! Seats
! +/-
! Status
! Ref
|-
! rowspan=2| [[2019 European Parliament election|2019]]
! Pre-Brexit
| rowspan=2|[[Manfred Weber]]
| 23.9 (#1)
| {{Composition bar compact|180|751|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
|
| rowspan=2 style="background:#bfd; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; "| [[Von der Leyen Commission I|Coalition]]
| rowspan=2 | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://epfo.eu/|title=Evolution of the number of MEPs member of the European party|website=European Party Funding Observatory|access-date=2024-08-03}}</ref>

|-
! Post-Brexit
| 24.7 (#1)
| {{Composition bar compact|174|705|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}
| {{decrease}} 6
|-
! colspan=2| [[2024 European Parliament election|2024]]
| [[Ursula von der Leyen]]
| 25.9 (#1)
| {{Composition bar compact|187|720|hex={{EUPP data|color}}}}{{efn|Including 23 individual members}}
| {{increase}} 13
| style="background:#bfd; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; "| [[Von der Leyen Commission II|Coalition]]
| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.appf.europa.eu/cmsdata/287716/EPP%20MEPs%20as%20of%2017%20July%202024.xlsx|title=Provisional list of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) as of 17 July 2024|website=Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations|access-date=2024-08-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://europeelects.eu/ep2024|title=Projected composition: Members of the European Parliament|website=Europe Elects|access-date=2024-08-03}}</ref>
|}

== See also ==
* [[European political party]]
* [[Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations]]
* [[European political foundation]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{Cite book |first=Thomas |last=Jansen |title=The European People's Party: Origins and Development |publisher=MacMillans |year=1998}}
* {{Cite book |first1=Thomas |last1=Jansen |first2=Steven |last2=Van Hecke |title=At Europe's Service: The Origins and Evolution of the European People's Party |publisher=Springer |year=2011 |isbn=978-3-642-19413-9 |lccn=2011927265 |doi=10.1007/978-3-642-19414-6}}
* {{Cite book |first=Wolfram |last=Kaiser |chapter=Transnational Christian Democracy: From the Nouvelles Equipes Internationales to the European People's Party |editor1=Michael Gehler |editor2=Wolfram Kaiser |title=Christian Democracy in Europe since 1945 |publisher=Routledge |year=2004 |isbn=0-7146-5662-3 |pages=194–208}}
* Herman, L., Hoerner, J., & Lacey, J. (2021). "[https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/european-political-science-review/article/abs/why-does-the-european-right-accommodate-backsliding-states-an-analysis-of-24-european-peoples-party-votes-20112019/3DD436CD00043EB6C07B0D9896B8BF3D Why does the European Right accommodate backsliding states? An analysis of 24 European People's Party votes (2011–2019)]." ''European Political Science Review''

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}} {{In lang|en}}
* [http://www.eppgroup.eu EPP Group in the European Parliament]
* [http://www.epp.cor.europa.eu EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200825030010/http://www.epp.cor.europa.eu/ |date=25 August 2020}}.
* [http://www.epp-cd.eu EPP Group in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe]

{{European People's Party}}
{{European political parties}}
{{Political organisations at European Union level}}
{{International Democracy Union|uncollapsed}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:European People's Party]]
[[Category:Political parties established in 1976]]
[[Category:European political alliances]]
[[Category:European political parties]]
[[Category:Centre-right parties in Europe]]
[[Category:Conservative parties in Europe]]
[[Category:Christian democratic parties in Europe]]
[[Category:Liberal conservative parties]]
[[Category:European Union and the Catholic Church]]
[[Category:International Democracy Union]]
[[Category:1976 establishments in Europe]]
[[Category:Pro-European European political alliances]]