The European People’s Party Group in the European Parliament is meeting in Taormina in Sicily, Italy, through Thursday to set its vision and priorities for 2029.
The EPP Group’s Study Days began Monday. The group says it wants to build on its record from the first half of the parliamentary term and chart a political course for the years ahead.
“Our focus is clear: to deliver for European citizens while setting out a clear vision for Europe’s future,” group Chairman Manfred Weber said. He said the gathering will let members take stock of their legislative impact, set future priorities and build political momentum toward 2029.
Over the first two days, members of the European Parliament will discuss the legislative and political challenges for the rest of the mandate with Parliament President Roberta Metsola, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani. On Wednesday, members will take up the group’s vision and key priorities for the coming years. The program ends Thursday morning with an EPP Group Academy Working Breakfast.
Fulvio Martusciello, head of the Forza Italia delegation within the group, said the choice of Taormina continues a pattern. The group picked Naples in 2024, and he said selecting another southern Italian location signals strong interest that deserves gratitude and a sense of responsibility.
Herbert Dorfmann, head of the Südtiroler Volkspartei delegation within the group, said the meeting comes at the right moment, halfway through the mandate. “People expect a Europe that delivers: less bureaucracy, more competitiveness and real support for businesses, farmers and rural regions,” he said. He said the group has pushed that agenda from the start and will sharpen its priorities in Taormina to keep leading on it through 2029.
The EPP Group is the largest political group in the European Parliament, with 184 members from all EU member states.
