European EPP Congress: The Unfiltered Recap
Major European political group convenes in Valencia – Insights Gleaned
Welcome to the raw and uncensored rundown of the recent European People's Party (EPP) meeting in Valencia. Amidst power outages across Spain and Portugal, here are the juicy tidbits you missed.
Weber's Imperium
Emulating the air of a North Korean Politburo, the EPP party head honcho, Manfred Weber, was 're-elected' by an overwhelming 89% of votes, while his loyal ally Dolors Montserrat sailed through as Secretary General, unopposed with an impressive 91% vote share.
EPP's Rightward Shift
The winds of change are blowing the EPP towards the conservative side, from what we gleaned in the mood of the congress. The joyous reception towards Italy's premier Giorgia Meloni and her Fratelli d'Italia party clearly show the party's rightward move. Conversely, Simon Harris' more centrist tone failed to resonate with the masses.
Competitiveness vs. Green Agenda
A chorus of discontent arose against the Green Deal, with speakers arguing for a push towards deregulation and a boost in competitiveness. Italy's Antonio Tajani deemed the Green Deal a disaster, while Germany's Friedrich Merz shared similar sentiments towards some environmental regulations, labeling them as nonsensical.
The Return of Germany
The crowd in Valencia was in a festive mood, as Friedrich Merz, now part of the German government, put on a European coming out party of sorts. In a rousing speech, Merz emphasized the need for Germany to play a more active role in Europe and on the global stage.
The Line in the Sand
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen found herself at odds with the party's mainstream stance, preferring a more balanced approach to the Green Deal, which some delegates claimed to be a disaster.este retire. Von der Leyen's support for victims of local floods last October, critical of the EPP government at the time, met with some indirect criticism.
Read more:
- Day One of the EPP Congress: Key Takeaways
- EPP Officials Elected as Valencia Congress Concludes
- Populists and Extremists Are EPP's Main Competitors, Manfred Weber Tells Our Website
Key Figures:
- Manfred Weber: Struck a monarchical tone with his re-election[1].
- Friedrich Merz: Advocated for a stronger European defense and greater global presence[4].
- Ursula von der Leyen: Found herself at odds with the party's more conservative stance on the Green Deal[5].
- Manfred Weber, echoing a monarchical tone, was re-elected by a significant majority in the European People's Party meeting in Valencia, with a vote share of 89%.
- In contrast, the populists and extremists have emerged as formidable competitors for the EPP, according to Manfred Weber in a recent interview with a news outlet.
- Amidst debates on policy-and-legislation, Germany's Friedrich Merz emphasized the need for stronger European defense and a more active global role in his speech at the EPP Congress.
- Commission President Ursula von der Leyen clashed with the party's mainstream stance on the Green Deal, advocating for a more balanced approach and garnering criticism for her support of local flood victims, seen by some as indirectly criticizing the EPP government at that time.
