European People's Party Began Policy Planning
The political group convened in Taormina to draft an agenda for the 2029 European elections.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Economic Policy
Live Poll
Do you trust major political parties to prioritize the economic interests of your local community?
European People's Party leaders gathered in Taormina to initiate the development of a comprehensive policy program for the 2029 European elections. The meeting aims to assess current legislative achievements while establishing priorities for the upcoming term.
Why it matters
The party seeks to leverage its parliamentary influence to drive policies focused on increasing competitiveness, reducing bureaucracy, and supporting European farmers and businesses. Furthermore, the meeting aims to address pressing security challenges involving Russia, China, and transatlantic relations.
The European People's Party currently holds 184 seats in the European Parliament. It remains unclear which specific regulatory reforms will be prioritized to achieve the party's goal of reducing bureaucracy.
The players
European People's Party
This is a center-right political group in the European Parliament that advocates for conservative and Christian democratic policies.
Roberta Metsola
She is a high-ranking European official and a key attendee at the planning summit.
Ursula von der Leyen
She serves as a central European political figure participating in the policy discussions.
Antonio Tajani
He is an influential leader within the party currently helping to shape the 2029 election platform.
The details
The four-day assembly allows leadership to coordinate strategy with EU institutions and other political forces to translate their legislative agenda into concrete law. This meeting builds upon momentum from previous gatherings held in Galway earlier this year and in Naples in 2024.
Timeline
The meeting in Taormina began on October 12, 2026.
The EPP held a Summer University gathering in Galway in June 2026.
The next European elections are scheduled for 2029.
Macro View
This planning session follows the pattern set by the 2024 EPP gathering in Naples, representing a continuation of the party's standard election-cycle preparation. The shift reflects a strategic move to refine legislative priorities well ahead of the 2029 voting period.
The party's focus on reducing bureaucracy and supporting businesses could lead to significant changes in trade and regulatory environments for European firms. Citizens may see shifts in economic policy outcomes depending on which platform priorities are eventually codified into law.
The takeaway
The EPP is moving quickly to solidify its platform by focusing on clear economic and security goals years before the 2029 vote. Readers should monitor these early policy drafts as they will likely dictate the legislative tone for the next term.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving legislative agenda, visit the Economic Policy section.
Live Poll
Do you trust major political parties to prioritize the economic interests of your local community?
