During the last mandate, our Group has gone from strength to strength and today we count close to 60 members hailing from eight EU Member States. The aim for the next mandate and years to come is to continue to bring our common-sense perspective to European policy and to reaffirm our vision of a Europe that is just and fair, economically prosperous and true to its values. We want to see less contentious and burdensome legislation in the next mandate and we will continue to ensure that our voices are better heard and reflected in EU-level discussions and decisions.

At the time of taking up my function as President of the Group, the European continent was relentlessly facing crisis after crisis including a global pandemic, soaring energy prices and Russia’s unjustified aggression against Ukraine. However, each and every one of these difficulties and obstacles continues to reaffirm the need for our presence in Brussels. Our members have tirelessly worked in promoting conservative values and reformist policies as well as local decision-making be it through adopted CoR opinions or at high-level conferences and events. I am very proud of the work carried out to protect the automotive sector, a key pillar of the EU economy, and I am convinced that only a just transition based on technology neutrality could be really beneficial for all EU regions. 

Our Members, whether heads of regions, mayors, regional ministers or councillors, have been some of the most pro-active contributors to the work of the institution. They have brought their common-sense perspectives of local politics to European policy, representing their constituents and belief in the importance of the free market, tradition, and democracy.