EPP at a Glance

Flag of European Parliament

European People’s Party

European People’s Party

The European People's Party (EPP) is a pro-European, center-right alliance of Christian democratic and conservative parties. As the largest political force in the EU Parliament, it forms the cornerstone of European conservatism and advocates for a strong, market-oriented Union.

Values and Worldview

The EPP's foundation rests on Christian democratic values, the social market economy, and a clear commitment to European integration. Its vision of society is shaped by the principle of subsidiarity: decisions should be made as close to citizens as possible, with the state providing a guiding framework for freedom and responsibility. The party views Europe as a community of values rooted in its Christian heritage and the Enlightenment, striving for a balance between economic dynamism and social cohesion.

Policy Priorities

The EPP's agenda primarily targets the center-right, entrepreneurs, and rural voter groups. Its core focus is on competitiveness, reducing bureaucracy, and implementing a robust security policy to protect external borders. The party advocates for an effective EU in foreign and defense policy, without dissolving the national identity of member states. In climate policy, it prioritizes innovation and technical solutions over bans, aiming to secure Europe's industrial base and preserve prosperity for broad segments of society.

Role in the Political System

Strategically, the EPP acts as a foundational political force and an architect of European institutions. It often serves as a bridge-builder between different factions to organize stable majorities in the EU Parliament. Within the system, it strictly upholds the principles of the rule of law but increasingly faces the challenge of defining a clear demarcation line with the far-right, while simultaneously aiming to retain conservative voters. Its role is that of the "European stability party," cautiously advancing reforms through consensus.

Historical Election Results

EPP: Election Result Trends in European Parliament

History of Government Participation since 1945

Power Dynamics: Historical Government Roles
Leading Government
In Government
0

Total Cabinet Participations

Total Duration: -

0

Cabinets Led

Total Duration: -

0

Coalition Participations

Total Duration: -

0%

Time in Government

The party participated in government for 0% of the legislative period.

No historical government involvement

Data Sources and Methodology

PolitPro

PolitPro bridges the gap between scientific research and current polling. We supplement leading datasets with our own proprietary research and algorithms to make complex political contexts tangible and accessible. Powered by AI.

Help Us Stay Independent

Your support helps shield PolitPro from the influence of lobbyists and political parties.

Give Feedback

Tell us how we can make PolitPro even better for you!

Found a Mistake?

Political data is constantly evolving. If you spot an error, please let us know. A brief reference to your source will help us verify and update the information.

ParlGov – Parliamentary Democracy Data

A comprehensive research database from the University of Bremen, documenting parties, elections, and governments for comparative analysis.

Additional Sources

Döring, Holger and Philip Manow. 2024. Parliaments and governments database (ParlGov).

CHES – Chapel Hill Expert Survey

The leading expert survey on party positions in Europe. Over 400 political scientists document party stances based on rigorous scientific criteria.

Additional Sources

Rovny, Jan, et al. “25 Years of Political Party Positions in Europe: The Chapel Hill Expert Survey, 1999-2024.”