Following the European elections, the leaders of the European People’s Party (EPP) met today in Brussels ahead of the informal meeting of the European Council and congratulated EPP’s Lead Candidate Manfred Weber on his electoral success and expressed their unanimous support for him to become the next President of the European Commission. They also discussed the results of the European elections in their respective countries. In the margins of the meeting, EPP President Joseph Daul made the following statement: “Last week, one out of every two Europeans voted to decide the future course of their continent. This was the highest turnout of the past two decades. This is a victory for European democracy. This is a validation of the Spitzenkandidat process and a success for the European project because citizens understand that common challenges require a European answer. EPP pioneered the Spitzenkandidat process as a means of bringing Europe closer to the people and we remain committed to it. The European citizens have once more entrusted us by returning EPP as the biggest political group in the European Parliament. This is proof that EPP’s policies deliver for the European citizens. As we are the leading political force in Europe, I am confident that Manfred Weber will become the next President of the European Commission. The EPP leaders congratulated Manfred Weber on his formidable campaign across Europe to listen to the concerns and hopes of our citizens. He has a vision for a smart, strong and kind Europe. After fifteen years in the European Parliament, he has demonstrated that he can listen, negotiate, build bridges, find comprises and defend a vision rooted in our European values. He understands how the EU functions, while knowing the concerns of the citizens at local level. This is what is needed as a European Commission President." EPP leaders have congratulated Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on the success of the referendum on the rule of law. President Daul continued: “The rule of law, independent judiciary and fight against corruption are core European democratic values. The result clearly demonstrates the people do not tolerate the Socialist government’s attempts to erode their democracy and judicial system." Finally, EPP leaders expressed their full support for Nea Democratia and Kyriakos Mitsotakis and wished them another resounding electoral victory in the upcoming national elections.