European People's Party Group

European People's Party Group
European People's Party Group
European Parliament group
Name	European People's Party Group
English abbr.	EPP Group, EPP; (22 June 2009 – present); Older: EPP-ED; (20 July 1999 – 22 June 2009) ; EPP; (17 July 1979 – 20 July 1999) ; CD; (23 June 1953 – 17 July 1979) ;
French abbr.	PPE; (22 June 2009 – present); Older: PPE-DE; (20 July 1999 – 22 June 2009) ; PPE; (17 July 1979 – 20 July 1999) ; DC; (23 June 1953 – 17 July 1979) ;
Formal name	Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats); (22 June 2009 – present); Older: Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats); and European Democrats; (20 July 1999 – 22 June 2009) ; Group of the European People's Party (Christian-Democratic Group); (17 July 1979 – 20 July 1999) ; Christian Democratic Group (Group of the European People's Party); (14 March 1978 – 17 July 1979) ; Christian Democratic Group; (23 June 1953 – 14 March 1978) ;
Ideology	Christian democracy; Conservatism; Pro-Europeanism;
Political position	Centre-right;
European parties	European People's Party (majority); European Christian Political Party (FAMILIE)
From	11 September 1952; (unofficially); 23 June 1953; (officially);
To	Present
Chaired by	Manfred Weber
MEP(s)	184 / 720
Website	www.eppgroup.eu

The European People's Party Group (EPP Group or simply EPP) is a political group of the European Parliament consisting of deputies (MEPs) from the member parties of the European People's Party (EPP). Sometimes it also includes independent MEPs and/or deputies from unaffiliated national parties. The EPP Group comprises politicians of Christian democratic, conservative and liberal-conservative orientation.

The 2024 EPP manifesto reflects these views. The opening paragraph for instance reflects conservatism used to distinguish Europeans as a people "defined by shared history, heritage, Judea-Christian roots, and diversity." The manifesto refers to the history of christian democracy and the invention of the social market economy, as evidence of their commitment to Christian ethics & social teaching. Also linked is an article dedicated to the EPP view on social market economies, where they state "We believe our Christian democratic values are the strongest starting point for designing the future because they combine the best from conservative, liberal, and Christian-social ways of thinking."

The European People's Party was officially founded as a European political party in 1976. However, the European People's Party Group in the European Parliament has existed in one form or another since June 1953, from the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community, making it one of the oldest European-level political groups. It has been the largest political group in the European Parliament since 1999.