ESU Annual Report 2023
Online
Our ESU 2023 Annual Report is available
The report highlights the presentation of the new Martens Centre Survey on ‘Regaining the Middle Ground for the Centre Right’ by Tomi Huhtanen, the executive director of Martens Centre. The focus of the survey was on understanding the mindset of the European middle class, particularly their economic, psychological, and security concerns. Despite these concerns, the survey revealed that trust in the European Union (EU) remains high. However, there is a growing sense of distrust towards Russia.
The role of political parties as agents of change was discussed during the presentation. Peter Hefele from the Wilfried Martens Centre and Kevin Maas, the former secretary general of YEPP, participated in the discussion. Questions arose regarding whether the party identified as right/middle-right and why there was a focus on the middle class.
It was emphasized that the party’s ideological alignment, whether Christian democratic or conservative, varies depending on the country. The core values of the European People’s Party (EPP) remain intact. There has been a noticeable shift towards right or conservative/right positions, but caution was advised regarding political semantics.
Focusing on the middle class was justified because they constitute the core electorate and voters. However, it was emphasized that this should not be an excuse to ignore other classes. The policy concept should not be exclusive but should primarily target the middle class, considering social mobility. The importance of including healthcare and solidarity as ‘core themes’ in addition to the economy and safety was acknowledged. The discussion also touched upon the balance between centralization and a decentralized approach within the EU. It questioned whether “more” Europe is always the best solution.
Another topic of discussion was the stance of the EPP on healthcare. The participants debated whether the main focus of the EPP should be on the economy and security or if they should continue supporting the stance on healthcare previously outlined three months ago. The consensus reached was that these issues are not mutually exclusive, and the EPP should address both.