EPP Political Assembly adopts Spitzenkandidat procedure, tackles Libya and Syria, and upgrades Finland’s Christian Democrats to full member status

10. April 2018
The members of the European People’s Party (EPP) have gathered in Brussels for a two-day Political Assembly meeting on 9-10 April. During the meeting, the Political Assembly unanimously adopted the procedure and calendar for the nomination of the EPP Spitzenkandidat for the next European elections at the EPP Congress in Helsinki, Finland on 7-8 November 2018. The assembly has also debated the current situation in Libya and Syria, adopted a resolution on the recent developments in Slovakia, and has voted for the Christian Democrats of Finland (KD) to be upgraded to ordinary member status of the EPP. Following the meeting, EPP President Joseph Daul said the following: “The Spitzenkandidat process has been carefully designed so that the EPP will select the best candidate to lead the European Commission at this crucial juncture for the European Union’s history. The campaign will allow members from our member parties and associations across Europe to take a leading role in the future direction of the EU, in a fashion that stays true to our parties’ commitments to openness, transparency and democracy.” Members of the Political Assembly took a firm stance on the political crisis that has unfolded in Slovakia. EPP members expressed their deepest condolences to the families of recently murdered journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Mária Kušnírová and called on the Slovak authorities to carry out an objective in-depth investigation and bring the culprits to justice as soon as possible. “EPP calls on the new government to urgently address the longtime mistrust of Slovak society in the police and other prosecution organs. The allegations of corruption including abuses of EU funds, as well as suspicions of links between organised crime and top politicians must be investigated without delay,” continued the EPP President. The party members also had the pleasure to debate recent developments in Libya and Syria with H.E. Dr. Mahmoud Gebril, Former Prime Minister of Libya and Michael Benhamou, Political Advisor to the French Armed Forces. The EU must change its strategy towards Libya and Syria and adopt a more unified position. It must play a greater role in the reconstruction of both countries. In the case of Libya, it is not only about giving money but helping to rebuild strong, viable and sustainable state institutions which will restore stability and security in the country for its citizens and also for the wider region and Europe" EPP President Daul, concluded the debate. Furthermore, the Political Assembly unanimously upgraded the Finnish Christian Democratic Party (KD) from observer to ordinary status, thus giving a heartwarming welcome to KD as it became a full member of the EPP political family. Finally, the EPP has congratulated Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban and its member parties Fidesz-KDNP for their recent electoral victory in the Hungarian elections last Sunday.    


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For more information contact:

 

Alexandra Henman

Deputy Spokesperson

+32 471 90 76 84

alh@epp.eu

 

Angelos Athanasopoulos

National and Regional Press Director

+32 471 90 76 35

aa@epp.eu