The Congress

The Congress is the highest decision-making body of the party. It is the most important event for the party, and it is usually held every three years (Statutory Congress).

Functions

  • It elects the EPP Presidency;
  • Decides on the main policy documents and electoral programmes;
  • Provides a platform for the EPP heads of government and party leaders.

Composition

  • Delegates from EPP member and associated member parties;
  • Member associations and groups

Meetings

  • The EPP Congress meets ordinarily once every three years.
  • The EPP has organized a total of 27 Congresses

EPP Congress history timeline:

2022

Congress XXVII
Rotterdam
The EPP Congress in Rotterdam elected Manfred Weber as EPP President and Thanasis Bakolas as EPP Secretary General. The delegates also approved the EPP Congress Paper: 'The Europe We Want to Build Emphasising Our Values and Responding to New Challenges.'

2019

Congress XXVI
Zagreb
The EPP Congress in Zagreb elected Donald Tusk as its new President, elected its new Presidency and approved the resolution 'EPP vision for a sustainable planet'.

2018

Congress XXV
Helsinki
In Helsinki, the EPP elected its Spitzenkandidat for the European elections of 2019, and adopted 9 resolutions and 4 policy papers.

2017

Congress XXIV
Malta
In St. Julian's, Malta, the EPP adopted 13 resolutions and 4 emergency resolutions. The Congress adopted the document "Europe secures our Future" as well.

2015

Congress XXIII
Madrid
Adopted emergency resolution on migration and Congress document.

2014

Congress XXII
Dublin
Elected Jean-Claude Juncker as common EPP candidate and approved the "Action Programme" and the "Electoral Manifesto" ahead of the European Parliament elections

2012

Congress XXI
Bucharest
Approved the new “Party Platform" and "Manifesto”

2011

Congress XX
Marseille
Approved the document “Moving Europe Forward”

2009

Congress XIX
Bonn
Approved the document “The Social Market Economy in a Globalised World”.

2009

Congress XVIII
Warsaw
Approved the “Strong for the People” EPP Election Manifesto. Endorsed José Manuel BARROSO as its candidate for a second term as Commission President.

2006

Congress XVII
Rome
Approved the “Rome Manifesto".

2004

Congress XVI
Brussels
Main objective was to prepare for the European Elections. The “Action Program 2004-2009" was approved.

2002

Congress XV
Estoril
Prepared for the Constitution process, and declared that EU needed “A Constitution for a strong Europe”. EDU formally merged with EPP.

2001

Congress XIV
Berlin
Revisited its roots, and adopted the working document “A Union of Values”.

1999

Congress XIII
Brussels
Outlined its new vision for Europe, “On the Way to the 21st Century”. EUCD formally merged with EPP.

1997

Congress XII
Toulouse
Approved the document “We are all Part of One World”.

1995

Congress XI
Madrid
Hosted under the thematic slogan “EPP- Force of the Union”.

1993

Congress X
Brussels
Adopted the action program, “Europe 2000: Unity in Diversity”.

1992

Congress IX
Athens
Discussed, drafted, and approved the EPP “Basic Programme”.

1990

Congress VIII
Dublin
Faced a new political landscape and published “A federal constitution for the European Union”.

1988

Congress VII
Luxembourg
Prepared for another European Election and approved the document “On the Side of the Citizens”.

1986

Congress VI
The Hague
Focused on Economic Development and Environmental Problems.

1984

Congress V
Rome
Formulated the EPP Action Program.

1982

Congress IV
Paris
Under the slogan “Preserve Peace – Create Peace – Unite Europe”.

1980

Congress III
Cologne
Discussed the overall theme “The Christian Democrats in the Eighties – securing Freedom and Peace Completing Europe”.

1979

Congress II
Brussels
Decided the electoral platform for the first direct elections to the European Parliament.

1978

Congress I
Brussels
Adopted the EPP’s political program.
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