The European Conservatives and Reformists Party (ECR Party) is a conservative and soft Eurosceptic political entity in Europe. It has undergone several name changes, originally known as the Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists (AECR) from 2009 to 2016, and then the Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe (ACRE) from 2016 to 2019.

The party emphasizes principles such as individual liberty, national sovereignty, and limited government, among others. Since its establishment in 2009, the ECR Party has grown into a significant political force within Europe, maintaining active roles in the European Parliament, Council of Europe, Committee of Regions, and NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

The party's influence extends across various facets of European governance, reflecting its core principles in its political activities.

Euroscepticism and Views on European Integration:

The ECR Party is distinctly Eurosceptic, focusing on opposing unchecked European integration and the potential evolution of the European Union into a federal superstate. This stance, termed "Eurorealism," includes advocating for stricter immigration controls and emphasizing national governance over EU centralization.

Immigration Policy:

The ECR Party supports stringent immigration controls, advocating for an immigration system that respects national sovereignty and combats the misuse of asylum procedures. It supports reducing bureaucracy and promotes governance by national entities rather than centralized EU control.

However, the party's stance on immigration varies among its member parties, reflecting diverse national contexts and political landscapes across Europe.

Individual Liberty:

Individual liberty is a cornerstone value for the ECR Party. This principle underscores the belief that individuals should have the autonomy to make decisions about their own lives without undue interference from the government.

The ECR Party advocates for a society where personal freedoms—such as freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and the freedom to pursue personal goals—are protected and respected. They emphasize that with these freedoms comes personal responsibility, where individuals are accountable for the consequences of their actions.

National Sovereignty:

The ECR Party holds national sovereignty as a fundamental principle. This value champions the idea that each nation-state should have the authority to govern itself, make its own laws, and determine its own policies without external coercion.

This is particularly pertinent in the context of the ECR's Euroscepticism, where they advocate for nations having the ability to resist policies perceived as overreaching from the European Union.

Parliamentary Democracy:

Support for parliamentary democracy is crucial to the ECR Party’s ideology. They advocate for a system of governance in which representatives are democratically elected to make decisions on behalf of the people.

The ECR Party stresses the importance of maintaining a transparent and accountable government that operates under the rule of law—ensuring that all citizens and institutions are subject to the same laws.

Private Property:

The ECR Party views the right to private property as essential for a free and prosperous society. They argue that ownership rights encourage investment, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.

By protecting private property, the party believes it is safeguarding economic freedom and personal liberty, allowing individuals and businesses to manage their assets as they see fit.

Limited Government:

The principle of limited government is central to the ECR Party's platform. They contend that government's role should be restricted to essential functions such as maintaining law and order, protecting the country, and ensuring the rights of citizens.

This view holds that a smaller government is better for personal freedoms, economic efficiency, and reduces the risk of governmental abuse of power.

Free Trade and Low Taxes:

Free trade is promoted by the ECR Party as a driver of economic prosperity and international cooperation. They argue that removing trade barriers leads to a more efficient allocation of resources, lower prices for consumers, and greater innovation.

Alongside free trade, the party supports maintaining low taxes to foster a favorable business environment, stimulate economic growth, and allow individuals to retain more of their earnings.

Economics:

Sound monetary policy is another key tenet for the ECR Party. They advocate for policies that prevent excessive government debt and inflation.

The party supports maintaining stable currencies and financial systems to foster economic stability and investor confidence.

Open Competition:

The ECR Party champions open competition within the marketplace, believing that it drives quality, innovation, and efficiency. They support deregulation where appropriate to allow businesses to compete without unnecessary governmental constraints, promoting a dynamic and adaptive economy.

Devolution of Power:

Finally, the ECR Party strongly supports the devolution of power, which aligns with the concept of subsidiarity in the EU. This principle states that decisions should be made at the lowest feasible level, closest to the citizens affected by those decisions.

The ECR believes that local and regional governments are often better placed to understand and meet the needs of their communities than a distant centralized authority.