“The EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions (CoR) greatly contributed to our victory in the 2019 European elections. Local and regional communities are the backbone of our continent. There can be no Europe without them."
This was the message of Joseph Daul, President of the European People's Party, who addressed the members of the EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions at their Group meeting on 26 June, thanking them for their strong engagement during the EPP election campaign.
In the presence of the EPP-CoR members from all Member States, EPP-CoR Group President Michael Schneider reaffirmed his Group's support to the EPP Spitzenkandidat Manfred Weber:
"We should not disappoint the thousands of people who believe in and are committed to the Spitzenkandidat process."
The EPP remains the biggest party in the European Parliament, and no majority will be possible without the party. However, the fall of the traditional large parties and the rise of populist forces in Europe means that there is a need for reflection: How to attract more young voters and convince those who are attracted to populists? Remaining loyal to the EPP's Christian democratic values and its pro-European conviction are an important part of the solution, but we must also continue listening to our citizens to be able to better address their concerns, Daul said.
The EPP will continue to work for a safer Europe that protects its citizens, for a prosperous Europe that delivers sustainable solutions and jobs for a better future of its people. Without the support of the local and regional level, these policies risk losing touch with reality, Daul stressed and continued:
"It is our local representatives who bring Europe into the daily lives of citizens, into their homes and their workplaces, and demonstrate what EPP has done for them. The initiative of the EPP CoR Local Dialogues proves that every voice matters to us. EPP local representatives show that Europe has a heart and a soul.”