The European People's Party (EPP), the largest political family in Europe, has recently launched a program titled "Win2029" to compete against the far right in the 2029 elections. This move comes as members of the party are divided over cooperation with far-right parties and policies related to immigration, climate change, and social issues.
Details of the Win2029 Program
Manfred Weber, the President of the European People's Party, has recently initiated this group, with the main goal of developing an attractive political platform to draw voters away from the far right. This program is particularly significant given the increasing influence of far-right parties across the European Union.
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Siegfried Mureșan, Vice President of the party and Prime Ministerial candidate for Romania, emphasized that the main political divide in Europe during the 2029 elections will be between anti-European populists and EPP parties. He added that any issues beyond this "battle" are of secondary importance.
Internal Disagreements and Challenges
There are deeper disagreements within the party regarding how to cooperate with far-right parties and the extent of closeness to them on various policies. Some EPP representatives, particularly in Poland and Romania, are strongly opposed to any collaboration with the far right, while other representatives from Spain, Sweden, and Denmark have worked with them.
Some German representatives are also examining the boundaries of cooperation with the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD), especially in light of the recent electoral successes of this party. While most German EPP members in Brussels remain opposed to collaborating with AfD, these discussions are intensifying.
For a long time, there have been discussions within the European People's Party about whether to prioritize content or a central platform. These disagreements reflect the different political realities in various countries.
In recent internal meetings, the European People's Party has sought to maintain its boundaries with the far right and has encouraged representatives to reject far-right initiatives and support similar proposals from European right-wing and reformist parties.
The bigger challenge for the EPP in the future is likely whether to cooperate with the far right or to compete against it, and in this path, whether to shift to the right or to remain committed to its central positions.
At the EPP Congress after the 2024 European Union elections, Weber emphasized that he wants to change the party's narrative to regain the support of voters who lean towards far-right populists. This means that tougher immigration policies, increased deportations, and reduced environmental regulations are on the agenda.
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