The EPP’s Way to Number 1. The Rise to Europe’s Leading Political Force and Lessons Ahead

Abstract

In 1999, the European People’s Party emerged as the largest political group in the European Parliament, maintaining its dominance for more than 25 years and influencing the direction of the EU through five consecutive Presidencies of the European Commission.

This book presents memories from Prime Ministers, Presidents of EU institutions, Party Presidents and EPP officials. The book traces the pivotal moments in EU politics, from the EPP’s expansion to include conservative, liberal and like-minded parties, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, to the actual management of the new enlarged party.

This book sheds light on the EPP’s evolution, successes and controversies through firsthand accounts, offering a comprehensive view of its impact on the EU over the past quarter-century.

Footnotes

Author biographies

Klaus Welle chairs the Martens Centre’s Academic Council since April 2023. In May 2025, he was appointed Special Advisor to the European Commissioner for Defence and Space. He is also a Guest Professor in practice at the London School of Economics, a Visiting Professor at KU Leuven, and a Leader in Residence at the Moynihan Center of the Colin Powell School for global leadership in New York. Prior to joining the Martens Centre, he served as Secretary-General of the EPP, of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament and of the European Parliament.

Sara Pini joined the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies as Senior Research Officer in June 2023. Besides her work as Assistant Editor-in-Chief of the European View, she helps the Chair of the Academic Council, Klaus Welle, preparing and organising the Council’s activities. Prior to this, she worked as Deputy Head of Office for three EPP Presidents.