The EPP’s Role during the European Electoral Campaigns in 2004 and 2009

Abstract

As the first European-wide political party, the EPP has been organising itself for a long time to put forward a common electoral programme for its members for each European election. As a result, in the 2004 and 2009 elections, it was able to defend a common electoral programme and, moreover, has managed to play a key role in the appointment of José Manuel Barroso as President of the Commission in 2004. Of course, one should not overestimate the role of this common programme within the 27 national campaigns that make up the European election: in each country local issues usually overshadow the European view. However, because the process is very decentralised and very democratic, it has succeeded in maintaining a certain ideological unity among several dozens of political parties whose histories differ greatly, thus fostering an ‘EPP spirit’ within this large political family that has become the most influential party in the European Parliament and in the EU.

This chapter was submitted for publication on 25 February 2009, i.e., ahead of the EPP Warsaw Congress and the 2009 European Parliamentary Elections.