Romania's accession to the Schengen Area and the war in Ukraine - the main themes at the EPP Congress

The European People's Party (EPP) Congress, which is taking place these days in Bucharest, has brought together over 2000 delegates from over 40 countries and has benefited from the presence of European leaders, including Roberta Metsola - President of the European Parliament, and Ursula von der Leyen - President of the European Commission. The main topics of discussion for those present at the event were Romania's accession to the Schengen Area and the war in Ukraine. During the speeches of European leaders, supporters of USR and AUR protested in the area where the Congress was taking place, jostling with the gendarmes and chanting against Ursula von der Leyen. Before the official start of the Congress, the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, and Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu had meetings with several foreign political leaders. Klaus Iohannis had meetings scheduled starting at 10:00 a.m. with political leaders present in Bucharest, including the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, as well as with the prime ministers of countries such as Luxembourg, Lithuania, Ireland, Croatia, and Serbia. At the beginning of the meeting schedule, President Klaus Iohannis welcomed Ursula von der Leyen at the Cotroceni Palace, stating that they had in-depth discussions on the most important European issues, with a focus on this year's European elections, according to news.ro. "We agreed that maintaining our unity and solidarity for the future institutional architecture is crucial," the president wrote on Facebook. After the meeting with Roberta Metsola, Iohannis stated on the former Twitter network, X: "A substantial meeting today with our good friend, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, on the sidelines of the European People's Party Congress in Bucharest. I emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong pro-European voice for Romania in the European Parliament, especially as crucial elections are approaching." Among other guests at the Cotroceni Palace was Swiss President Viola Amherd, the two heads of state addressing topics such as the development of bilateral political and economic dialogue and supporting a strong relationship between the EU and the Swiss Confederation, according to the source cited. Klaus Iohannis mentioned that this Swiss contribution leads "to reducing economic disparities, which is an important cooperation tool, with excellent results".

The Congress of the European People's Party kicked off with a joint speech by the President of the PNL, Nicolae Ciucă, and the President of the EPP, Manfred Weber, reiterating the importance of support for Ukraine. Weber also emphasized the EPP's support for Romania's accession to the Schengen area: "I want it to be clear that the EPP fully supports the expansion of the Schengen Area, so that Romania and Bulgaria should join immediately. The two states meet all the conditions. Also, I want to say that I congratulate Romania for partially entering, with the air and maritime borders, and we want to see Romania and Bulgaria entering the Schengen area as soon as possible."

In turn, Nicolae Ciucă reaffirmed Romania's support for Ukraine and the importance Romania has regarding security in the region: "We have shown solidarity with our neighbors when they needed it most. From day one, we have stood by Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in their justified fight for freedom against Russian aggression. We have also helped Moldova cope with the consequences of this brutal war. And last but not least, our actions and measures that have translated into economic and security measures for our citizens. What happens in Ukraine has an impact on all of us. This war is about our system and democratic values, it is about human rights and dignities. And Romania has helped its neighbor as much as it could. We have welcomed Ukrainian refugees into our homes, supported and actively protected them and European values. And as political leaders of the EPP, we have provided political support, political support that remains crucial in this context." The President of the PNL also stated: "For Romanians, an extremely important subject is the completion of accession to the Schengen Area. The security of European borders is very important because it concerns our safety, that of our children, and liberal democracies. Romania is a provider of security and predictability that ensures the security of EU and NATO borders and, for this reason, has every right to become a full member of the European space."

• ÖVP delegates will not vote in favor of the EPP's electoral program

Despite the congress and strong support for Romania's accession to Schengen, Austrian delegates will veto the electoral manifesto presented before the European elections. For ÖVP, the conservative party of Chancellor Karl Nehammer - who himself will be in Bucharest and who today has a meeting with President Klaus Iohannis -, the proposals of the political family to which it belongs regarding Schengen enlargement and nuclear energy represent "red lines," according to news.ro. According to the Secretary-General of the Austrian People's Party, Christian Stocker, ÖVP delegates will not vote in favor of the EPP's electoral program. The reason is represented by several provisions with which the Austrians do not agree, such as the mandatory approval of nuclear energy or the extension of the Schengen area. Opposition reactions to the European People's Party Congress have not been delayed. AUR Deputy Dan Tănasă criticized the presence of the EPP president in Romania, accusing him of "coming to Bucharest to tell Romanians who to vote for": "Moreover, from our information, Manfred Weber will impose even the favorite candidates of the PPE on the joint PSD-PNL list. It is already evident to all sincere Romanians that the joint list of candidates PSD-PNL does not represent Romanian interests, but the interests of a corrupt oligarchy around the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The interest group of Ursula von der Leyen has damaged Romanians with billions of euros by imposing an astronomical amount of vaccines at overpriced prices and by destroying the Romanian energy industry under the pretext of a so-called fair transition and fighting climate change. No patriotic and sincere Romanian should vote for the PPE puppets on the joint PSD-PNL list! They have nothing in common with European voters whom they lie to and manipulate for corrupt oligarchic interests! In the 2019 European elections, Manfred Weber was designated as the spitzenkandidat of the EPP or lead candidate, to be appointed president of the European Commission. The EPP lied to Europeans because Ursula von der Leyen emerged under the table as president of the European Commission and not Weber, who had been announced in the electoral campaign. In the 2024 elections, Weber's puppet party, the Christian Social Union, also designated him as the spitzenkandidat, although it is known that von der Leyen will still be president".

• Protests at the EPP Congress

Supporters of the USR party organized a protest action against the EPP congress, according to a statement from the political group. According to G4Media, two cars equipped with digital screens circulated in Bucharest, in the area where the EPP Congress is being held, displaying messages in Romanian and English: Vote for PPE, wins S&D / Vote PNL, PSD wins. USR banners with Cătălin Drulă and messages also appeared on the screens: "Don't let them steal your future. Choose modern Romania!"

"USR sends a message to the representatives of the EPP present in Bucharest these days that they should clarify with those from the PNL how the European populists became brothers with the Social Democrats in Romania. We are witnessing an absurd festival, those who will vote for the PNL in the European elections will actually send Social Democrats to Brussels," said Ionuţ Moşteanu, vice president of USR and spokesperson for USR.

Supporters of the AUR party also participated in the protest. They chanted slogans such as "Ursula, don't forget, Romania doesn't want you!", "Ursula, show us the contracts!" and "Sovereignty!", stating that Ursula von der Leyen does not act in the interest of Romania and other EU member states.

Protesters broke through the protective fences and tried to approach the Romexpo building, where the EPP Congress was taking place, jostling with the gendarmes who came with vans, managing to block the demonstrators.