The EPP’s Way to Number 1

In the first chapter, Jos J. A. M. van Gennip revisits the EPP’s 1992 Athens Programme, which was a foundational moment for the party’s modern identity. Against the backdrop of Christian Democracy’s perceived decline in post–Cold War Europe, the chapter recounts how internal tensions and external pressures were channeled into a unifying, values-driven project that combined Christian Democratic, conservative and liberal elements. Van Gennip narrates the strategic compromise that led to the Programme’s creation, highlighting its emphasis on human dignity; subsidiarity; solidarity; environmental responsibility; and a principled stance on migration, globalisation and economic inequality—many of which remain strikingly prescient. The chapter underlines how Athens laid the groundwork for a coherent, forward-looking vision of the European People’s Party, later reaffirmed in the Bucharest Platform. And it argues for a renewed engagement with these enduring values in turbulent times.

In this insightful interview conducted by Federico Ottavio Reho, Marianne Amssoms—longtime chief of staff to former EPP president and Belgian prime minister Wilfried Martens—offers a vivid portrait of the man who shaped the EPP into the dominant force of the European centre—right. Reflecting on Martens’s political instincts, inclusive leadership, and commitment to both vision and pragmatism, the conversation traces his strategy of simultaneous 'deepening and widening' of the party. From the delicate inclusion of Forza Italia to the smoother integration of Spain’s Partido Popular and Portugal’s PSD, Amssoms recalls how Martens balanced principles and compromise to steer the EPP through ideological tensions and political realignments. His legacy, grounded in values and sustained through personal diplomacy, continues to influence the party’s structure, alliances and sense of purpose in an evolving Europe.

In this sweeping political reflection, former Spanish prime minister José María Aznar charts the transformation of Spain’s centre–right from the embattled Alianza Popular to a refounded, governing Partido Popular. Framing his account within a broader critique of factionalism, populism and the erosion of democratic legitimacy, Aznar explores the philosophical underpinnings of party politics, drawing on thinkers such as Burke, Cicero and Sartori. He recounts the pivotal milestones of the Partido Popular’s reinvention—including the 1989 renaming and the decisive 1990 Seville Congress—underlining the party’s strategic shift toward liberal–democratic values, institutional reform and national responsibility. With freedom and national loyality as its twin pillars, the Partido Popular emerged not merely as a reaction to socialism but as a principled, reformist force with a clear programme and a spirit of victory. Aznar’s chapter argues forcefully that effective governance must rest on authentic convictions, must be a principle-driven governance as a counter to populist and socialist tendencies.

In this chapter Anthony Teasdale—drawing on decades of first-hand experience—traces the dramatic evolution of the British Conservative Party’s relationship with the European People’s Party (EPP), from distant estrangement to pragmatic alliance, and ultimately, to painful divorce. Teasdale captures the complex interplay of personalities, ideologies and political strategy that shaped this journey—from the Conservatives’ formation of their own group in the 1970s, to their eventual merger with the EPP Group under Prime Minister John Major, who sought to reposition his party at the heart of Europe after Margaret Thatcher’s combative Euroscepticism. He vividly recounts the party’s golden years as an influential EPP ally, navigating ideological differences while shaping European policy from within, only to see this ‘beautiful political friendship’ unravel under David Cameron, whose decisions—driven by domestic pressures—would ultimately sideline the Conservatives in Brussels and pave the way for Brexit. Rich in historical detail and political nuance, the chapter offers a captivating account of what was gained—and lost—when Britain’s Conservatives turned away from the European mainstream.

In this chapter, Italian foreign affairs minister Antonio Tajani examines Forza Italia’s entry into the European People’s Party (EPP), tracing the party’s emergence in the context of post–Cold War political upheaval. Founded in 1994 by Silvio Berlusconi amid the collapse of Italy’s Democrazia Cristiana party, Forza Italia quickly established itself as the new anchor for moderate voters. Tajani recounts how the party’s strong performance in the 1994 European elections marked the beginning of its engagement with the European centre–right, first through the formation of the Forza Europa group and later as part of the Union for Europe. As the EPP debated whether to remain a Christian Democratic bloc or to broaden its ideological base, figures such as Helmut Kohl advocated for expansion, paving the way for Forza Italia’s accession. Despite internal resistance and political tensions, a compromise was reached in 1998. Tajani provides a behind-the-scenes account of this turning point and argues that Forza Italia’s inclusion helped rebalance the EPP’s political geography, reinforcing its role as the dominant force in EU politics.

In this reflective chapter, former Slovak prime minister Mikuláš Dzurinda recounts his personal and political journey with the European People’s Party (EPP), from his early days in the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) to leading Slovakia through EU and NATO accession. Dzurinda provides an insider’s perspective on building a governing coalition in the aftermath of authoritarian rule and navigating the challenges of leadership while founding his own party, the SDKÚ, in 2000. Central to the narrative is his close collaboration with EPP leader Wilfried Martens, whose support proved decisive during key political moments, including sensitive negotiations with Slovakia’s Hungarian minority. Dzurinda highlights how the EPP offered both practical guidance and a value-based political anchor amid rapid transformation. He also offers a candid reflection on the SDKÚ’s eventual decline, linking it to a broader erosion of value-driven politics in the age of populism and social media. This chapter is both a testament to the EPP’s formative influence and a cautionary tale about the fragility of political ideals without enduring commitment.

Gareth Gregan charts the complex and often contentious path to the creation of the Youth of the European People’s Party (YEPP), officially founded in Brussels in early 1997. He retraces the origins of its two predecessor organisations—the European Young Christian Democrats and the Democratic Youth Community of Europe—highlighting how overlapping goals, diverging ideologies,and competing visions of European integration led to both cooperation and friction. Through detailed accounts of negotiations, internal rifts and pivotal leadership from figures such as Klaus Welle and Fredrik Reinfeldt, Gregan shows how the project overcame long-standing divides between Christian Democratic and conservative youth groups. The chapter also explores the broader political context of the 1990s, including the EPP’s strategic evolution and the need for a unified youth voice reflecting an expanded European centre–right. With rich historical detail, Gregan captures how YEPP’s founding marked not just an organisational merger, but the birth of a more inclusive, modern and representative youth wing for the EPP.

Former Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt reflects on the creation of the Youth of the European People’s Party (YEPP) in 1997, highlighting its role in fostering political cooperation among center–-right youth organisations across Europe. He outlines three key factors that led to YEPP’s formation: the deepening of European integration after the Maastricht Treaty, the unification of conservative and Christian Democratic youth organisations, and the ideological division between pro-European and Eurosceptic right-wing parties. Reinfeldt describes the challenges of structuring an international organisation, particularly in designing a fair voting system that balanced representation between large and small member states. He emphasises how YEPP provided a platform for young politicians to exchange ideas, engage in electoral strategies, and support democratic development in post-communist Eastern Europe. The author concludes with a reflection on the optimism of the 1990s and argues that YEPP’s founding spirit of collaboration and democratic engagement remains relevant in addressing contemporary political challenges.

In this chapter, former Slovenian prime minister Alojz Peterle offers a personal and historical reflection on the role of the European People’s Party (EPP) and the European Union of Christian Democrats (EUCD) in supporting democratic transformation and European integration in Central and Eastern Europe after the fall of Communism. Drawing from his experience as Slovenia’s first prime minister and long-time EPP and EUCD vice-president, Peterle highlights early engagement with Western leaders such as Helmut Kohl and Wilfried Martens, and illustrates how inclusion in European political families gave Christian Democratic forces in the region a platform on the international stage. The chapter traces the path from early cooperation to the merger of the EUCD and the EPP in 1999, which Peterle sees as a key moment in building a more united and values-driven Europe. With a strong emphasis on Christian Democratic principles and the importance of shared values, Peterle argues that the EPP’s strength has always stemmed from its moral clarity and historical vision—qualities he believes are vital for navigating today’s geopolitical challenges.

In this chapter Teona Lavrelashvili interviews Wim van Velzen, who was former president of the European Union of Christian Democrats and vice-president of the European People’s Party (EPP). Van Velzen reflects on the strategic evolution of the EPP from a coalition of like-minded Christian Democrats to Europe’s leading political force. Drawing on his experience of leading the European Union of Christian Democrats through its merger with the EPP in the 1990s, van Velzen recounts the foundational principles of Christian Democracy—democracy, solidarity and subsidiarity—and the role they played in guiding the integration of post-Communist Central and Eastern European parties. He outlines the challenges of expansion, from verifying democratic credentials to addressing ethnic tensions, and highlights the EPP’s investment in youth leadership and party development through tools such as the Robert Schuman Institute. The chapter also details the joint strategy he developed with Klaus Welle to build political strength across Europe, culminating in the EPP’s repeated electoral victories and growing institutional influence. Offering insights into past lessons and future priorities, van Velzen presents a compelling case for principled enlargement, strategic vision and values-based leadership as the cornerstones of the EPP’s continued success.

In this chapter, former Finnish president Sauli Niinistö reflects on the legacy of the European Democratic Union (EDU), an organisation that played a formative yet often underappreciated role in shaping the European centre–right. Active from the late 1970s to the early 2000s, the EDU served as a vital platform for fostering political cooperation across ideological, geographic and institutional divides—particularly during the Cold War and its aftermath. Niinistö draws on his experience as former EDU chairperson to describe the organisation’s support to democratic transformation in Central and Eastern Europe and its role in connecting non-EU centre–right parties to the broader European political family. He recounts the organisation’s influence on his own party, Finland’s Kokoomus, and its pivotal contribution to preparing new member parties for EU integration. The chapter also details the EDU’s gradual merger with the EPP. Niinistö argues that although the EDU formally dissolved, its mission was fulfilled and its legacy lives on in the EPP’s inclusive, pan-European character.

In this chapter Andreas Khol recounts the origins, mission and legacy of the European Democrat Union (EDU), a political alliance founded in 1978 to bridge the divides between Christian Democrats, conservatives and other centre–right parties across Europe. Khol offers a detailed narrative of the EDU’s creation, driven by leaders such as Helmut Kohl, Margaret Thatcher and Jacques Chirac in response to the dominance of socialist parties and the rising influence of Eurocommunism during the Cold War. He describes the EDU’s ambitious goals: to challenge the left in the European Parliament, support anti-Communist forces in Central and Eastern Europe, promote EU enlargement and foster international cooperation among ideologically aligned parties. The EDU operated alongside and, at times, in tension with the European People’s Party, eventually merging with it after the 1999 European elections. Through detailed accounts of its founding moments, internal dynamics and geopolitical engagement, Khol positions the EDU as a crucial—if under-recognised—stepping stone toward the European People’s Party’s current status as Europe’s leading political force.

Alexis Wintoniak offers a detailed account of the European Democrat Union (EDU) and its foundational role in shaping the centre–right political landscape in Europe. Founded in 1978 as a flexible coalition of Christian Democratic, conservative and like-minded parties, the EDU provided an inclusive platform for cooperation at a time when the European People’s Party remained limited to European Communitybased Christian Democrats. Wintoniak retraces the EDU’s evolution—from its early years fostering transnational cooperation, to its focus in the 1990s on supporting fledgling democracies in Central and Eastern Europe. He outlines the EDU’s contribution to party development, institution-building and regional stability, notably in the Balkans and former Soviet states. The chapter explores how changing political realities—EU enlargement, ideological convergence and the waning of Cold War divisions—ultimately paved the way for the EDU’s gradual integration into the EPP, formally completed in 2002. Wintoniak concludes that the EDU’s legacy lives on in its the EPP’ broad reach and leadership, built on the same principles of pragmatism, unity and democratic commitment.

Former European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker offers a firsthand account of the European People’s Party’s (EPP’s) evolution, from its founding in 1976 to its transformation into Europe’s dominant center–right force. Reflecting on his own journey within the party—from a young delegate to European Commission President—Juncker explores the long-running debate over ideological expansion. He recounts the tensions between maintaining the EPP’s Christian Democratic roots and the pragmatic need to welcome conservative and pro-European forces, especially in the wake of EU enlargement. While acknowledging missteps, he argues that broadening the EPP’s reach was politically necessary, but warns against drifting too far from its core values.

In this wide-ranging chapter, Ria Oomen-Ruijten offers a critical yet constructive reflection on the European People’s Party’s (EPP's) evolution during a period of institutional consolidation and political expansion, particularly between 1989 and 1999. Drawing on her experience within the European Parliament, she examines how the EPP's pursuit of size—'big, bigger, biggest'—sometimes came at the cost of ideological coherence. She discusses the shifting balance between the EPP and its Group, the tensions surrounding the admission of parties such as the British Conservatives and Forza Italia, and the complex dynamics of expansion into Central and Eastern Europe. Oomen-Ruijten also reflects on institutional reforms, such as the introduction of the European political party statute, and the EPP’s navigation of major treaty changes and enlargement. While recognising the value of becoming Europe’s leading political force, she urges the party to refocus on its Christian Democratic roots, social market values and civic engagement—arguing that long-term influence is best preserved not through numbers alone, but through steadfast adherence to core principles.

In this reflective interview conducted by Teona Lavrelashvili, former CVP chairman Marc Van Peel offers a personal and political portrait of Wilfried Martens, the architect behind the European People’s Party’s (EPP) transformation into Europe’s leading political force. Drawing on his own experiences in Belgian and European politics, Van Peel explores Martens’s strategic vision, his ability to unite Christian Democratic, centrist and conservative parties, and the sometimes controversial decisions—such as the inclusion of Forza Italia—that tested the boundaries of EPP identity. While acknowledging disagreements with Martens at the time, Van Peel ultimately credits his pragmatic leadership and long-term thinking for solidifying the EPP’s influence in the European Parliament. The discussion also revisits the enduring relevance of Christian Democracy as a political philosophy grounded in human dignity, social justice and balanced governance. In an age of rising populism and fragmentation, Van Peel argues that Martens’s legacy offers a clear lesson: principled leadership, anchored in values but open to strategic compromise, remains vital for the EPP’s future.

In this chapter, former European Parliament president Hans-Gert Pöttering charts the European People’s Party’s (EPP’s) rise to become the largest group in the European Parliament. Reflecting on key moments from the 1980s to the 2000s, he recounts the strategic inclusions of parties such as Spain’s Partido Popular, Forza Italia, France’s RPR and the British Conservatives—moves that helped the EPP to surpass the Socialists in 1999. Pöttering offers behind-the-scenes insights into coalition-building, internal debates and the growing influence of the EPP in shaping EU institutions. He also details how the EPP used its strength to secure parliamentary input into key decisions, including Commission appointments and treaty reforms, paving the way for the Lisbon Treaty and the evolution of the EU’s constitutional order.

In this candid interview conducted by Sara Pini, Joseph Daul reflects on his journey from Alsatian farmer and trade unionist to leading both the EPP and its Group in the European Parliament. Drawing on his practical experience and personal ethos of listening first, Daul discusses the challenges of integrating diverse parties—such as Forza Italia, the British Conservatives and Fidesz—into a cohesive group. He offers insight into the internal dynamics of the EPP during a time of rapid enlargement, institutional reform and shifting values. As both Group chair and later EPP president, Daul emphasises the importance of humility, fieldwork and trust-building—especially with parties from Central and Eastern Europe and beyond the EU. His advice to future leaders is clear: stay grounded, engage with young people and, above all, put the person at the centre.

In this analytical chapter, political scientist Karl Magnus Johansson evaluates the European People’s Party’s (EPP’s) capacity to shape European integration through treaty reform and political coordination. Drawing on three decades of research and case studies, he argues that Europarties such as the EPP can exert real influence—but only under demanding conditions: numerical strength, internal cohesion and the ability to mobilise networks of party leaders. Johansson traces how the EPP played a decisive role in the Single European Act and the Maastricht Treaty but struggled during the Amsterdam Treaty negotiations due to internal divisions and weakened Council presence. He concludes that while the EPP has shaped the EU’s constitutional architecture, its effectiveness depends on unity, strategic mobilisation and clarity of purpose—lessons that remain vital as the party navigates today’s fragmented landscape.

In the conclusion, Klaus Welle reflects on the EPP’s strategic rise over three decades—from a fragmented centre–right to the EU’s dominant political force—and outlines the challenges that now threaten this legacy. Drawing on his experience shaping the EPP’s electoral and institutional successes alongside leaders such as Helmut Kohl and Wilfried Martens, Welle assesses the opportunities presented by the 2024 elections, while warning against complacency. He identifies the rise of populism as a systemic threat rooted in economic stagnation, social insecurity and cultural backlash, and argues that the EPP must both defend democratic values and deliver tangible results for citizens. His call to action: strengthen competitiveness, manage migration, engage the economically vulnerable and remain open to partnerships with the constructive right. Only through pragmatic leadership and inclusive politics, Welle concludes, can the EPP preserve Europe’s democratic centre and shape its future.