Last week, the European Peoples Party (EPP), gathered for its Congress in Valencia, Spain to elect new leadership and to discuss and adopt resolutions on important political topics. The congress also included a number of side events with various political themes, as well as opportunities for a number of informal meetings.
‘Three intense days at the Congress of The European People’s Party (EPP), with many good meetings and conversations, where we have highlighted LGBTIQ+ issues with parties, research institutes, MEPs and other partners are over,’ summarizes President of EPPride Helge Ytterøy L’orange.
‘EPPride is particularly pleased that EPP, in the presidency’s resolution on our political foundation, confirms that our values are based on respect for each individual and human rights for all, and not least that diversity and equal opportunities for all are integral parts of our common European values,’ states President Helge Ytterøy L’orange.
He adds that in an important resolution on Europe’s demographic development, EPP also underlines the policy from its electoral manifesto from advocating for creating the best conditions for everyone to start a family.
‘These are important confirmations that, even in uncertain times, we stand firmly behind our values and will include and defend minorities and vulnerable groups,’ concludes the President of EPPride.
During the Congress, EPPride, presented an LGBTIQ+ position paper for the Centre-Right movement developed in cooperation with the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies. The position paper discusses how our political family relates with the LGBTIQ+ community and LGBTIQ+ issues. It also describes what our ideology and political base means for people that diverge from the majority. In addition, the position paper lays the foundation for strategies and priorities regarding different LGBTIQ+ political issues.
‘We are very enthusiastic about the good cooperation we have developed with the Wilfried Martens Centre. Both through our joint seminar last autumn, and our work to develop the position paper. It has been a very interesting and enlightening path for both of us,’ President Ytterøy L’orange states.
‘The acceptance speech by the new Secretary General of EPP, Dolors Montserrat, where she highlighted our values, the importance of diversity and equality confirms this commitment,’ President in EPPride Helge Ytterøy L’orange says.
He also points out that the results in practical policies are very clear: ‘When President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, last autumn sent the mission letter to the new commissioner for equality, it gave a clear commitment to continue the work for diversity, equality and inclusion in the European Union. We are very glad the new commissioner already has put that on the agenda and opened a public consultation regarding the development 2025-2030.’
About EPPride
EPPride is an associated entity within EPP and consists of 11 LGBTIQ+ organisations affiliated with EPP parties in 10 countries. At the Congress in Valencia last week, EPPride was represented by President Helge Ytterøy L’orange (NO), Vice President Gerben Horst (NL) and Secretary General Fredrik Saweståhl (SE). Board member Mathias Weiss (AT) was present as a part of the Austrian delegation.
