In this chapter Teona Lavrelashvili interviews Wim van Velzen, who was former president of the European Union of Christian Democrats and vice-president of the European People’s Party (EPP). Van Velzen reflects on the strategic evolution of the EPP from a coalition of like-minded Christian Democrats to Europe’s leading political force. Drawing on his experience of leading the European Union of Christian Democrats through its merger with the EPP in the 1990s, van Velzen recounts the foundational principles of Christian Democracy—democracy, solidarity and subsidiarity—and the role they played in guiding the integration of post-Communist Central and Eastern European parties. He outlines the challenges of expansion, from verifying democratic credentials to addressing ethnic tensions, and highlights the EPP’s investment in youth leadership and party development through tools such as the Robert Schuman Institute. The chapter also details the joint strategy he developed with Klaus Welle to build political strength across Europe, culminating in the EPP’s repeated electoral victories and growing institutional influence. Offering insights into past lessons and future priorities, van Velzen presents a compelling case for principled enlargement, strategic vision and values-based leadership as the cornerstones of the EPP’s continued success.