Austria's Sophia Kircher is the new president of YEPP!

Austria's Sophia Kircher is the new president of YEPP!

On July 12, 2025, Sophia Kircher was elected as the first Austrian president of the Youth of the European People's Party (YEPP). The election took place in Brussels, and Kircher received an impressive 86.7 percent of the vote. In her new role, she succeeds Lídia Pereira from Spain and brings with her many years of experience and European policy expertise. Kircher is not only a Tyrolean MEP, but also the ÖVP's deputy federal party chairman. This election underlines the crescent importance of young voices within the EPP family.

Reinhold Lopatka, head of the ÖVP delegation in the European Parliament, congratulated Kircher on her election and emphasized the importance of young voices within the EPP family. European Minister Claudia Plakolm was also present at the election and spoke positively about Kircher's suitability for the position. Kircher, who has been First Vice President of the YEPP since June 2023, sees it as central to representing young voices in political decision-making processes. The organization includes over 51 youth organizations with around 1.4 million members from 40 countries.

Commitment to youth issues

Kircher is now in a unique position to represent the interests of European youth on the political stage. The YEPP was founded in Brussels in 1997 and has since established itself as a significant voice for young people. Kircher, who has been the ÖVP's deputy federal party chairman since March 2025, plans to contribute to the further development of the organization's content and structure. In the coming years it will be crucial to actively implement the European youth strategy.

Eleven European youth goals were defined as part of the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027. These goals serve as guidelines for the young generation in Europe and emphasize aspects such as gender equality, inclusive societies and mental health. The strategy will be supported by mobilizing policy instruments at EU, national, regional and local levels to integrate youth voices everywhere.

Looking into the future

Given this challenge, it will be important for Kircher to advance the voice of young people and actively represent the concerns expressed by participants in the EU Youth Dialogue. The EU Youth Strategy aims to create a sustainable, inclusive and engaged community for Europe's youth. Kircher is determined to advance the results of her work in line with European youth goals.

The path that Kircher takes as the new president of the YEPP will be followed with excitement. Her commitment to youth and her constant commitment to European issues could lead the way for the future political landscape in Europe. The next steps will be crucial in laying the foundations for an active dialogue between youth and decision-makers.