Minister for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton TD, has been elected as Vice President of the European People’s Party (EPP), the largest and most influential European-level political party.
The announcement was made following the EPP’s two day Congress in Bucharest, Romania yesterday.
Ms Creighton secured the first of ten positions and fought of strong competition from other candidates including three EU Commissioners, a German Government Minister and candidates representing the governing parties of Portugal, Sweden and Poland.
Speaking in Bucharest, following her election Minister Creighton said: “This result is great recognition for the work we are doing. There is a really strong sense in the EPP of support for Ireland on our road to recovery. The position of Vice President presents a great opportunity to influence the biggest European party at the top level”.
The newly elected President of the EPP is Wilfried Martens, former Prime Minister of Belgium, while the role of Secretary General was won by Spainish politician and Member of the European Parliament, Antonio Lopez-Isturiz.
José Manuel Barosso, President of the European Commission, and Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, will both serve alongside Minister Creighton as ex-officio Vice Presidents of the EPP.