The European People’s Party (EPP), the largest and arguably most influential political force in the European Parliament, is meeting in Taormina to chart an ambitious course towards 2029, promising greater competitiveness, less bureaucracy and stronger support for businesses, farmers and ordinary citizens.

Far from being merely another gathering of European politicians beneath the Mediterranean sunshine, the four-day meeting, beginning on Monday, October 12th, represents an opportunity for Europe’s centre-right to consolidate its achievements, confront the challenges ahead and establish a coherent political programme leading towards the 2029 European elections.

The gathering brings together senior figures including European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani.

At its centre stands EPP Group Chairman Manfred Weber, whose ambition is to translate the group’s considerable parliamentary influence into practical policies that deliver tangible benefits to European citizens.

The EPP currently commands 184 seats in the European Parliament, giving it a formidable platform from which to influence legislation and shape the European Union’s political direction.

In announcing the meeting, Weber emphasised the importance of taking stock of the group’s legislative achievements while developing a credible programme for the years ahead.

The message is encouraging: Europe needs a political leadership prepared not simply to manage existing difficulties, but to anticipate tomorrow’s challenges.

Competitiveness must become Europe’s priority

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the Taormina agenda is its emphasis on economic competitiveness, regulatory reform and practical support for European enterprise.

For too long, businesses across the continent have complained about excessive bureaucracy, complicated regulatory requirements and the difficulties of competing against American and Chinese rivals.

Europe possesses extraordinary industrial expertise, technological capabilities and entrepreneurial talent. Yet these strengths are too frequently undermined by administrative obstacles and fragmented markets.

The EPP’s determination to address these weaknesses is therefore welcome.

Herbert Dorfmann MEP, who heads the Südtiroler Volkspartei delegation, has identified the priorities with admirable clarity: reducing bureaucracy, strengthening competitiveness and providing meaningful support for businesses, farmers and rural communities.

These are not abstract ideological ambitions. They concern employment, investment, productivity and the prosperity of millions of Europeans.

As previously examined by EU Today in its analysis of Europe’s competitiveness challenges, the recommendations of former Italian prime minister Mario Draghi have already established the urgent need for economic reform. The challenge now is implementation.

A stronger Europe in a dangerous world

Although the Taormina announcement places particular emphasis on economic and legislative priorities, the EPP’s broader political programme also reflects the increasingly difficult international environment.

Russia’s continuing aggression against Ukraine, strategic competition with China and uncertainties surrounding transatlantic relations have fundamentally altered Europe’s security calculations.

A prosperous Europe must also be a secure Europe.

The centre-right has an important opportunity to advance a coherent approach combining stronger defence capabilities, industrial resilience and continued cooperation with NATO.

Indeed, EU Today’s recent examination of Europe’s defence build-up highlighted the growing momentum behind missile defence, military procurement and European defence-industrial cooperation.

The EPP’s influence could prove particularly valuable in ensuring that such initiatives move beyond political declarations and become operational realities.

Europe’s security and economic strength are increasingly inseparable.

Political leadership beyond Brussels

The choice of Taormina also carries political significance.

As Fulvio Martusciello MEP, head of the Forza Italia delegation, observed, the EPP’s decision to return to southern Italy following its 2024 gathering in Naples demonstrates sustained engagement with the region.

That geographical emphasis is welcome.

European integration cannot succeed if its political priorities are perceived as belonging exclusively to Brussels, Paris or Berlin.

Southern Europe’s economic development, agricultural interests, infrastructure requirements and strategic importance deserve sustained attention.

The EPP‘s approach also builds upon discussions held during its June gathering in Galway, Ireland, previously examined by EU Today in its coverage of the EPP’s Summer University.

There, too, the emphasis was on maintaining Europe’s prosperity, strengthening international partnerships and developing the political confidence necessary to confront an uncertain future.

Turning political ambition into results

The real test of Taormina will not be the speeches delivered or the photographs taken, but the legislative priorities that emerge.

European voters increasingly demand evidence that their representatives understand the pressures facing households, employers and communities.

The EPP appears determined to respond with a programme rooted in economic opportunity, practical reform and political stability.

Its position as Parliament’s largest group provides considerable influence, although delivering legislation will still require cooperation with other political forces and EU institutions.

Nevertheless, there is reason for optimism.

At a time when European politics is frequently characterised by fragmentation and confrontation, the EPP is attempting to articulate a constructive, forward-looking vision.

If the commitments developed in Sicily translate into reduced bureaucracy, greater investment, stronger security and renewed economic confidence, Taormina may ultimately be remembered as something considerably more important than a pleasant Mediterranean political retreat.

This could mark another significant step towards a more competitive, resilient and confident Europe.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the podium Photographer: Dati Bendo © European Union

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used her State of the Union address on Wednesday (16 September) to make the case for a more independent Europe, confronting war, economic competition, AI disruption and climate change — while proposing Canada become the EU’s first associate member.

Opening her #SOTEU speech with Charles Dickens’ “best of times, worst of times”, von der Leyen described a Union stronger but also more exposed to external threats.

“The state of our Union is the strongest it has ever been,” she said, while acknowledging it could feel “as precarious as it has ever been”. “Europe has chosen to forge its own path. And a stronger, independent Europe is now emerging.”

Competitiveness and energy

Von der Leyen called kickstarting Europe’s economy her “number one priority”, promising faster permitting, less red tape and further integration of the Single Market.

The Commission will propose a new Banking Package and create a European Corporation on Critical Raw Materials to secure supplies needed for chips, batteries, clean technology and defence.

With high energy costs weighing on European industry, von der Leyen called for faster electrification and investment in grids, renewables and nuclear power to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Climate after a 'summer of truth'

After a summer of fires, drought and extreme heat, von der Leyen promised a climate resilience framework focused on 100 of Europe’s most vulnerable territories, alongside a Climate Insurance Alliance, European Heatwave Plan and Water Initiative.

She also floated a future European Firefighting Fleet, declaring that Europe “can, must and will stay the course” on its climate targets.

AI: Opportunity and threat

AI was presented as both an economic opportunity and an emerging security threat. Von der Leyen warned that advanced models could enable hacking “on a level we never thought possible” and pledged closer cooperation with Canada, the UK and others on AI security.

At the same time, Europe will expand computing capacity and push AI into health, transport, agriculture, manufacturing, defence and space. “Above all, we want AI with human agency,” she said.

Jobs, housing and social rights

The Commission plans a Quality Jobs Act before the end of the year and a European Care Deal, alongside measures tackling housing pressures.

Von der Leyen said technological change must benefit workers, while strongly defending women’s rights and Europe’s social model.

PHOTO  European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the podium Photographer: Dati Bendo © European Union

Canada moves closer

One of the biggest surprises came with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the chamber.

Von der Leyen proposed an “Alliance for the Future” spanning technology, defence, energy, critical minerals, AI and the Arctic — before going further.

“I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the EU,” she told Carney. “We share one ocean, one set of values, one way of seeing the world.”

Security, defence and Ukraine

With drone incursions, cyberattacks and sabotage raising security concerns inside the EU, von der Leyen proposed a new European security strategy and an Emergency Security Protocol for incidents falling below the threshold of armed aggression.

She also wants to establish a European Security Council and strengthen joint European defence capabilities.

Ukraine faces what von der Leyen called the “toughest winter of the war”. She promised humanitarian and energy support, stronger air defences and deeper defence-industrial cooperation with Kyiv.

Borders, democracy and children online

The Commission will propose an Emergency Response Framework for exceptional migration crises and strengthen Frontex, while launching a Mediterranean Youth Skills and Jobs initiative.

Von der Leyen also announced an EU KIDS ACT, including no social media for under-13s and restrictions for children under 15, followed by a broader Digital Fairness Act.

Political groups draw battle lines

EPP leader Manfred Weber backed the focus on AI, defence and competitiveness but pushed against restrictive climate policies. “Climate change is a reality,” he said, arguing Europe needed “innovation and not bans.”

S&D leader Iratxe García Pérez demanded that von der Leyen turn “words into action”, backing climate investment, housing and worker protections while warning that simplification must not become deregulation.

Renew Europe leader Valérie Hayer made a pointed appeal for the Parliament’s pro-European majority, as the EPP has increasingly worked with parties further to the right on some legislation. “There’s only one possible majority. It’s our pro-European majority,” she said. “We need to do more. We need more Europe, and we need it more quickly.”

Greens/EFA co-chair Terry Reintke accused EU leaders of failing to respond urgently enough to extreme heat and wildfires. “We are in the middle of a climate emergency,” she said, demanding stronger Green Deal implementation while insisting: “We are not powerless. Europe is strong, and Europe can be even stronger.”

ECR co-chair Patryk Jaki struck a sharply different note, attacking the Commission over bureaucracy, energy costs and industrial competitiveness. Europe, he argued, was “as weak as it’s ever been.”

Von der Leyen closed on the central theme running through the speech: European sovereignty in an increasingly hostile world.

“The fate of Europe,” she said, “must remain in the hands of Europeans.”