Brussels, 3 December 2025 – The European Christian Political Party (ECPP) celebrated its 20th anniversary with a festive dinner in the European Parliament, bringing together members, current and former politicians, affiliates, and key figures from its history. The evening focused on remembering the party’s origins, giving thanks for its journey from its founding, meeting the requirements for registration as a European political party, and its continuous growth in network, members and influence, while also looking ahead with commitment to further growth.
ECPP President Valeriu Ghilețchi opened the evening with a word of welcome and prayer. The first part of the program focused on the early years of ECPP and how the movement first was established. Gerard Geijtenbeek explained that the foundations for the party were laid already in the 1990s, when a group of Christian politicians in Western Europe sought to connect with fellow Christians in Central and Eastern Europe after the Cold War. Peeter Võsu, the first ECPM President, recalled how the Christians for Europe Conference in Lakitelek, Hungary (2002) marked an important step toward founding the movement, which was formalised in 2005. Longtime ECPP contributor and current Sallux Director Johannes de Jong, emphasised that the core value that inspired ECPP’s founding is still relevant in Europe today: human dignity grounded in Jesus Christ.
“We need a relational understanding of our economy, as we need a family-friendly economy. We need a foreign policy that protects fundamental freedoms. We need an EU that respects life in all its facets, born and unborn. We need an EU that respects its diversity and does not replace it with technocracy. And most of all, we need Christians in the EU to work together based on their Christian principles for a better future.” – Johannes de Jong.
Former ECPP President Branislav Skripek (2016–2020), former General Director Auke Minnema (2018–2022), and former Director for European Affairs Leo van Doesburg (2006–2022) reflected on the growth of the network and shared memories of significant milestones. Van Doesburg spoke about building partnerships with parties in the Balkans and Eastern Europe, recalling numerous visits that shaped the network and forged lasting friendships. He and Auke Minnema also spoke about the challenge posed by new rules on European political parties, and how, despite the difficulty, ECPP successfully met the requirements: “Through intense effort, commitment, and— I truly believe—God opening the right doors, we managed to preserve ECPM’s status as a European political party after the European Parliament changed its rules.”
Furthermore, Leo van Doesburg stated that it is “encouraging and inspiring to see that ECPP now counts seven members of the European Parliament ,” highlighting the party’s steady growth and stability.
“It is encouraging and inspiring to see that ECPP now counts seven Members of the European Parliament”
Skripek, Minnema, and Van Doesburg also recounted stories of their work in the European Parliament, including initiating the Working Group on Human Dignity with MEP Bas Belder, later continued by MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen, and their involvement in the Council of Europe, where they cooperated with current ECPP President Valeriu Ghilețchi on reports concerning surrogacy and discrimination against Christians.
Three representatives of partner organisations with long-standing cooperation with ECPP also addressed the audience: Bojan Ruvarac, Adina Portaru, and Teresa Gerns. Ruvarac highlighted how the partnership between Renew Our Minds (ROM) and ECPP has helped educate young people in the Balkans on politics while bringing them together in a spirit of reconciliation. Portaru (ADF) and Gerns (FAFCE) expressed their appreciation for the cooperation with ECPP on various political issues. Gerns especially remembered Anna Záborská, former MEP and ECPP member from Slovakia, who passed away in the summer of 2025.
The celebration of 20 years of ECPP brought back cherished memories and strengthened the bonds between old and new friends. We are grateful for the journey ECPP has been able to walk so far, and we look to the future with hope and faith.
A special word of thanks goes to all who joined the celebration, especially former and current MEPs affiliated with ECPP.
European Christian Political Party (ECPP)
The European Christian Political Party (ECPP), previously known as the European Christian Political Movement (ECPM), is the only European political party explicitly promoting Christian values in politics. Our mission is to elevate Christians’ voices from all over Europe, to empower them with tools, resources and connection so that they can effectively and successfully engage with their governments and communities and make an impact. Our party gathers like-minded individuals, parties and organizations from all over Europe. Learn more about ECPP’s values, program and activities at https://ecpp.eu/ .
