In this reflective chapter, former Slovak prime minister Mikuláš Dzurinda recounts his personal and political journey with the European People’s Party (EPP), from his early days in the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) to leading Slovakia through EU and NATO accession. Dzurinda provides an insider’s perspective on building a governing coalition in the aftermath of authoritarian rule and navigating the challenges of leadership while founding his own party, the SDKÚ, in 2000. Central to the narrative is his close collaboration with EPP leader Wilfried Martens, whose support proved decisive during key political moments, including sensitive negotiations with Slovakia’s Hungarian minority. Dzurinda highlights how the EPP offered both practical guidance and a value-based political anchor amid rapid transformation. He also offers a candid reflection on the SDKÚ’s eventual decline, linking it to a broader erosion of value-driven politics in the age of populism and social media. This chapter is both a testament to the EPP’s formative influence and a cautionary tale about the fragility of political ideals without enduring commitment.