Magnus Brunner Elected as Vice President of the European People's Party

Magnus Brunner, the EU Commissioner for Migration, has been elected as one of the ten Vice Presidents of the European People's Party (EVP) during the party's congress held in Valencia, Spain. Brunner secured 356 votes from a total of 546, highlighting his support within the organization.

In his new role, Brunner expressed his commitment to shaping a vision for a prosperous and secure Europe, reinforcing the EVP's position as a leading political force dedicated to democracy and freedom.

On the previous day, Manfred Weber, a member of Germany's CSU party, was re-elected as the EVP party leader, standing as the sole candidate for the position. Among the twelve candidates vying for the Vice President roles, Brunner ranked seventh in terms of votes received. Other newly elected Vice Presidents include Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, and several others from various EU member states.

Two candidates, Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel and Belgium's MEP Wouter Beke, did not receive sufficient votes to secure a Vice President position. As a member of the EVP presidency, Brunner will participate in preparatory meetings ahead of EU summits.

Brunner's predecessor, Johannes Hahn, also held the position of EVP Vice President, indicating a continuity within the party's leadership. The EVP holds a significant presence in the European Parliament, boasting 188 out of 720 seats, making it the largest political group ahead of the Social Democrats and the right-wing faction known as Patriots for Europe.

Currently, the EVP leads the government in twelve of the 27 EU member states, including the roles of Prime Ministers and Presidents in Romania and Cyprus.

Following the election, Austrian Chancellor and ÖVP leader Christian Stocker congratulated Brunner, emphasizing his dedication as a strong European leader. Stocker noted that Brunner's experience as both a federal minister in Austria and as an EU Commissioner equips him to tackle significant challenges, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and evolving transatlantic relationships.

Claudia Plakolm, the Austrian Minister for Europe and head of the Young People's Party, also commended Brunner, highlighting his understanding of the importance of collaboration and unity in ensuring the continued success of Europe.

Nico Marchetti, Secretary General of the People's Party, stated that Brunner's election as EVP Vice President confirms the party's commitment to a robust migration policy. Reinhold Lopatka, the ÖVP's delegation leader in the European Parliament, stressed the importance of having a strong voice at the top of the European People's Party to advance Austria's interests in the EU.

Lopatka further advocated for the swift integration of Montenegro into the European Union, expressing optimism that the negotiations could conclude successfully within the current legislative term. He highlighted the importance of expanding the EU to strengthen its collective power, as the last expansion occurred with Croatia in 2013.