Ane Barcos / Aquí Europa
The absence of the far-right in this Thursday’s debate in Brussels has not gone unnoticed. And although this mystery has already been resolved by the organization, the moderators of the debate have confirmed that, despite having received their corresponding invitation, by not agreeing with the principle of head of the list, ID and ECR have not presented the main candidate, so they have not had a place in the debate. However, this has not prevented their prominence in the discussions, since they have been the center of reproaches and criticism among the participants.
The candidates to preside over the Commission already faced each other at the end of April in a meeting of similar characteristics held in Maastricht. From that debate, what stood out was the way in which the current head of the community Executive and favorite to occupy the position again, Ursula von der Leyen, left the door open to a possible pact with the far-right.
A position that she has maintained this Thursday, therefore, despite having been questioned both by her opponents (especially by the social democrat, who has asked her on several occasions for clarity about her intentions), and by the moderators, the German She has maintained that she will work with whoever “is pro-European, anti-Putin and defends the rule of law.”
The far-right “in the spotlight”
One of the novelties of this third edition of the Eurovision Debate was the “Spotlight” section, in which the candidates, in addition to having one minute to address the audience directly, have been interviewed individually by the moderators.
The first to face this “interrogation” was the social democrat, Nicolas Schmit, who used his 60 seconds to say that what inspires him is “the improvement of the conditions of daily life” and that the social democrats are committed to “a Firm Europe that responds to citizens’ concerns.”
When the moderator asked him about his group’s willingness to work with the European People’s Party, the Luxembourger launched the first criticism against Von der Leyen, pointing out that this will depend on the willingness of the Popular Party to work with democratic forces. «ID and ECR do not fit with the fundamental values defended by the European Union. We have to be blunt,” Smicht insisted.
The next “in focus” has been Sandro Gozi, who, living up to the name of his party, Renew Europe, has advocated for a transformation of the European Union that allows it to face the current challenges, which demand “ a vision and a sense of urgency.”
At the time of the interview, the moderator mentioned the loss of support for her party that the polls predicted. To which the candidate responded that, for him, “polls don’t count, the ballot box counts.” Gozi has also attacked Von der Leyen, expressing her bewilderment at her willingness to open up to parties that “are against Europe.” “We must not lend ourselves to them, we must fight them,” he defended.
But the German has not been the only one to receive criticism. Gozi has also been affected by rapprochements on the part of her group with the extreme right. And the right-wing liberals of the Netherlands, VVD (Renew in the European Parliament), are considering forming a Government in the Netherlands with the far-right leader Geert Wilders (PVV).
The Greens candidate, Terry Reintke, has focused her intervention on camera on the importance of safeguarding “the future of a precious continent”: Reintke has also warned that “the climate crisis waits for no one” and that this is not a priority of the right and the extreme right. “If the EPP works with the conservatives, the Green Deal is going to end,” she warned.
In her individual interview, she was questioned about her group’s willingness to establish stricter green policies and the consequences this could have for farmers, who have already been protesting the demands of the European Union for months. In that sense, Reintke has advocated supporting the agricultural sector and involving it in the measures taken to stop climate change.
When it was Von der Leyen’s turn, she opted to appeal to young people, who filled a large part of the chamber. The German has assured that the new generations “support the European Union, they want a strong Europe that protects and is prosperous.” “I am willing to build a majority for the sake of a strong Europe. I have experience and I really want to fight for that Europe,” she added.
Although she has not been a main point of the debate, the moderators have asked her about the recognition of Palestine and the role she adopted when conflict broke out in the Middle East. “Do you think it was too fast?” the moderator asked. The current head of the community Executive has defended herself by arguing that “it was necessary to recognize the horror that occurred on October 7.” Likewise, she has reiterated the importance of a two-state solution.
The Left candidate, Walter Baier, has criticized, precisely, that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has not been one of the central issues, something that has been applauded by the public. “We talk about peace and security but no one mentions Gaza or Israel. I already said it in Maastricht, when will European sanctions against Israel arrive?”
He has also advocated for a ceasefire in the Ukraine war, insisting that the European Union should adopt a negotiating position to reach a diplomatic solution.
In his “Spotlight” minute, Baier has acknowledged having experienced social injustices firsthand, ensuring that his group’s will is to end the inequalities resulting from a neoliberal capitalist system.
During almost two hours of debate, the candidates have had the opportunity to present their proposals and priorities on the issues that European citizens identified as priorities for the European elections next June. And although surveys are periodically published that advance possible results, the five participants in the debate that Brussels hosted this afternoon have taken it upon themselves to remember that the final results will be known when voters go to the polls.
