The European Christian Political Movement (ECPM) has been granted an official status at the European level by the European Parliament. This official recognition means that the ECPM will receive funding from the European Parliament. With this funding the ECPM can develop into an even larger forum for Christian-democratic parties and politicians.

The organisation was officially registered in 2005 and already counts more than 20 members from more than 15 European countries. Now it has taken another step to ensure it’s further impact and growth. Chairman Peeter Võsu (Estonia) is very positive about the official status: “The ECPM meets all the requirements for this status and this clearly shows the growing relevance of our movement.”

With the official status and the funding from Brussels the ECPM aims to become more visible in European politics and to become active in the European political debates. With its distinctive Christian-democratic profile, the ECPM is certain that it can offer constructive new ideas for the future of Europe.

The European Christian Political Movement has been growing very rapidly in the last few years. The main reason for this growth is clear, according to Võsu: “We could never have grown so fast if there was not such a need in European countries for our ideas, it is clear that many people in Europe are convinced that Christian values matter!”

Although the ECPM is not a group in the European Parliament, it is now one of the ten organisations that have been awarded this special status. Other organisations that have this status include the European People’s Party (EPP) and the Party of European Socialists (PES).

“The recognition by the European Parliament is very interesting for the dynamics in European politics,” according to vice-chairman Kris Vleugels (Belgium). He claims that the ECPM is really unique because the European Christian Political Movement is not a competitor to any European group in the European Parliament. “Instead,” Vleugels says, “the ECPM wants to cooperate with all parties and politicians who share our values!”

This position points out the unique philosophy of the organisation; uniting parties and politicians around Christian values, regardless of party colours. “This way of thinking opens many opportunities for constructive cooperation in national and European politics which will benefit the people of Europe” concludes Peeter Võsu.

The ECPM will celebrate this milestone during the next Members Congress that will take place in Brussels in the end of May.

For more information contact Guido van Beusekom (general-secretary): office@ecpm.info