EPTEPP is with 299 members by a large margin the larges group in the European Parliament. They are a collection of conservatives with a positive view on further european integration. Most members are from CSU/CDU in Germany, while Spains People's party, Polands Civic Platform, Italys People of Freedom and Union Pour Un Mouvement Populaire from France are well represented too. As a primarily conservative group there is a focus on protecting tradition, religion and personal negative freedoms.
On civil rights they are for “family values” which includes a rejection of abortion and promoting a ban on scientific research on embryos. It also includes a focus on increasing border protection and ability to fight terrorism. There is an emphasis on balancing internet rights versus cybercrime and “all misuse of the digital technology, including infringement of intellectual property”. On transparency the emphasis is on simplifying the structure of EU and reducing the number of rules to make it easier to understand for the people.
On environmental issues they are for a European move towards more green energy, but with more hesitation than the left wing of the parliament. They include a wish for binding international agreements to supplement and possibly strenghten the european effort.
On the economic area, EPP has a strong liking towards the EURO as a common european currency. On the crisis EPP wants to promote fiscal responsibility of the memberstates. That includes a respect for the stability requirements in EU and therefore significant emphasis on fiscal discipline.
On foreign policy they are very unspecific like ALDE, arguing for a strenghtening of EEAS and ESDP to take care of these areas.
Stats:
Leader: Joseph Daul (UMP. France)
MEPs: 274
Average participation (voting): 86.3 %
Vote cohesion (since last election): 92,9 %
Most cohesion on (committee topic) : Culture and Education (98,1 %)
Worst cohesion on (committee topic): Gender Equality (74,4 %)
Least towing of party line: Swedens Moderaterne
Sources:
http://www.epp.eu/
http://www.votewatch.eu/#tabs-1
