Policymakers, observers and the media have referred to a vast number of divisions in crisis-torn Europe. The EU is divided between north and south or creditors and debtors. Some have emphasised the emerged division between anti-EU and pro-EU forces. Significantly, these divisions are also manifested within the eurozone, in the form of the current differences between the French and German views, and the increasing role of the populist movements in many euro countries.

Although common EU principles and individual rights related to elections exist, the EP elections are characterized by a considerable diversity of national rules, procedures, and practices. In addition, the political dimension of EP elections is dominated by national political actors and dynamics. The EP has sought to harmonize frameworks and practices for decades, but the Member States have thus far resisted further integration in this respect.

Fine Gael (Ireland’s current governing party) will host the Congress to launch the election campaign of the European People’s Party (EPP) on 6 and 7 March 2014 in Dublin. 2,000 delegates are expected to attend the two day Congress which will launch the EPP’s campaign for the 2014 European Parliament elections, by approving its manifesto and selecting the EPP’s candidate for President of the European Commission. Starting from Dublin, the EPP presidential candidate will campaign in all Member States of the European Union until the scheduled European elections in May 2014.

The European People’s Party (EPP) is the political family of the centre-right, whose roots run deep in the history and civilisation of the European continent and which has pioneered the European project from its inception. Tracing back its roots to Europe’s Founding Fathers – Robert SCHUMAN, Alcide DE GASPERI, and Konrad ADENAUER - the EPP is committed to a strong Europe based on a federal model that relies on the principle of subsidiarity.