Manfred Weber Wins Re-election as EPP Chairman
The European People's Party confirmed its leadership team through a secret ballot vote by party deputies.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Elections
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Manfred Weber has been re-elected as chairman of the European People's Party after securing 164 votes out of 183 cast. The group also added Eszter Lakos of the Hungarian Tisza party to its leadership as a vice-chair.
Why it matters
The party intends to focus on delivering practical solutions for citizens to effectively counter the influence of populist movements. This leadership team is tasked with developing a pan-European strategy ahead of the 2029 European elections.
Manfred Weber secured 164 votes out of 183 cast by EPP colleagues to maintain his leadership position. New vice-chair Eszter Lakos received 152 votes, while other confirmed leaders included Dolors Montserrat with 160 and Siegfried Mureşan with 152.
The players
Manfred Weber
He is the chairman of the European People's Party and has served as the group leader since 2014.
Eszter Lakos
She is a Hungarian MEP representing the Tisza party and has been newly appointed as an EPP vice-chair.
European People's Party
It is a center-right political group in the European Parliament composed of 185 members.
The details
The EPP deputies finalized the new leadership team during a secret ballot in Strasbourg. The group recently drafted a strategic document in Sicily, aiming to position the party's platform for the upcoming electoral cycle.
Timeline
Manfred Weber has led the EPP group since 2014.
The secret ballot vote by EPP deputies took place on October 13, 2026.
The EPP plans to contest the European elections in 2029.
Political Context
The EPP leadership team is shaping its organizational platform to compete in the 2029 European elections, mirroring the strategic planning cycles typical of major political groups. Opposition parties often challenge the EPP's focus on centralized European governance, arguing that local national interests require more policy independence than the EPP's pan-European strategy allows.
As the EPP moves to execute its new strategy, citizens may see shifts in the party's approach to legislative proposals concerning daily economic and social issues. The focus on practical solutions aims to directly impact policy outcomes that voters encounter in their local communities across Europe.
The takeaway
The EPP is consolidating its leadership to present a unified front against growing populist political trends. Voters should watch for upcoming policy announcements as the party begins implementing its new pan-European platform.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Elections.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Euractiv DE.
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