Congress of the EDP in Mainz 2023: step towards the future of Europe

The European Democratic Party held an insightful Congress on the 13th of October 2023, in the historic city of Mainz, Germany. Not only did delegations from Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Austria, Poland, Czech Republic, Bulgaria have come together to attend this important event, but it also served as a breeding ground for fundamental debates and innovative proposals that address the pressing issues of our era.

Mainz, with its renowned MEWA Arena, served as the perfect backdrop for this grand event. This location proved to be in perfect alignment with what Matteo Renzi, Italia Viva’s President said: “Europe plays a role now or disappears and becomes a spectator: instead playing on the pitch of the stadium, Europe is likely to go to the football grandstand to watch the match between China and the United States.”

Central to the Congress was the Statutory meeting.

This session dealt with vital internal affairs, such as member-related concerns, financial issues, the appointment of a new presidency composed by François Bayrou (President), Sandro Gozi (Secretary General) and Gérard Deprez (General Delegate), while Antoni Ortuzar from the Basque Country and Ulrike Müller from Germany were re-elected as the two Executive Vice-Presidents. Instead, Nicola Danti from Italy, Karl Erjavec from Slovenia, Marios Georgiadis from Greece, Marian Harkin from Ireland and Gerrit-Jan van Otterloo from the Netherlands were elected as Vice-Presidents.

Lately, the Manifesto was discussed and approved by the delegates, who raised questions and improved the final draft of the Manifesto with several comments and insights.

After the Statutory meeting, the main event was the leaders debate, where Francois Bayrou, Sandro Gozi, Ulrike Muller and the former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi took the stage to share their visions for the future of Europe. It was a compelling discussion, varying in topics but united in the shared commitment to foster a more integrated, prosperous, and sustainable European community. This platform allowed leaders to exchange fresh perspectives, challenges, and potential solutions that could guide the course of Europe's evolution.

In line with EDP's mission to address critical contemporary issues, the Congress also featured enlightening discussions during the Mayor Summit presided by Sandro Gozi and François Decoster, President of Renew Europe in Committee of the Regions. 

Mayors from various cities came forth to share their unique experiences, achievements, and future plans. Their local leadership insights proved invaluable, serving as a vivid reminder of the spirit of resilience inherent in Europe's local communities.

The Congress concluded with two specialized panels centered on migration and artificial intelligence, respectively. Joachim Streit, Giulia Pigoni and Matteo Flora were our experts on these topics and provided the audience with data and meaningful insights, also stimulating by an intense Q&A session.

The forum on migration sought to foster a more humane and effective migration policy, all while considering the changing global dynamics. On the other hand, the debate on artificial intelligence aimed to delineate the balance between technological advancement and ethical considerations, our General-Secretary reminded in his speech: "AI is a tool for mankind, and it should not be prohibited. Rather, it should be regulated through collective efforts."

Finally, the EDP Congress in Mainz was more than an assembly. It was a resounding statement of commitment to the democratic principles, shared values, and the bold vision that binds the diverse nations of Europe into a shared community. This gathering marked yet another important milestone on the journey toward a future well-equipped to confront the evolving challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.