The Congress of the European People’s Party continues on Thursday in Bucharest, with the EPP candidate for the position of president of the European Commission to be elected.

The Political Assembly of the European People’s Party validated, on Tuesday evening, the registration of Ursula von der Leyen in this competition, for a new mandate. Ursula von der Leyen, the current head of the European Commission, is the only candidate to lead the People’s list in the European elections on June 9 and, therefore, to obtain a new five-year mandate at the helm of the community executive.

On Thursday, within the EPP Congress, president Klaus Iohannis and the EU heads of state and government, present at the event, will give speeches.

More than 2,000 delegates from more than 40 countries, including the president of the European Commission, the president of the European Parliament, heads of state and government, party chairpersons and European commissioners who are part of the political family of the European People’s Party, gathered on Wednesday and Thursday in the congress in Bucharest.

On the first day of the meeting, on Wednesday, the European People’s Party unanimously adopted the Manifesto requesting Romania’s accession to the Schengen Area as soon as possible, after the Austrian delegation of the ruling People’s Party gave up voting against it. In the Manifesto adopted by the EPP it is mentioned that there is a need for „full accession to Schengen Area for Bulgaria and Romania, by lifting as soon as possible not only the air and maritime controls, but also the controls at the land borders”.

The Congress is the highest decision-making body of the party. It is the most important event for the EPP and usually takes place every three years. The main functions of the congress are to elect the EPP presidency, to decide on the main policy documents and electoral programs and to provide a platform for the heads of government and EPP party leaders.

The EPP Congress takes place on Wednesday and Thursday at Romexpo, northern Bucharest the meeting being hosted by the National Liberal Party in partnership with the European People’s Party.

Bucharest was also the host of a congress of the European People’s Party in October 2012.

Source: AGERPRES