Summary of the debate Eight politicians debated in Maastricht ahead of the June European elections. While nearly all major political parties were represented, the European Commission president and lead candidate for the European People’s party, Ursula von der Leyen, was the only high-profile leader on stage. Bas Eickhout, for the European Green Party, accused von der Leyen of “lowering and really watering down the Green Deal for our farmers.” Asked about whether she would work with the European Conservatives and Reformists group, von der Leyen said: “It depends very much on how the composition of the parliament is and who is in what group.” Asked about EU policy toward Israel, von der Leyen said: “We need a cease-fire now. And we need the release of the hostages now. And we need to sit down and work on a two-state solution because this is the only solution that will bring peace to the region.” Asked if an invasion of Rafah would be a red line, von der Leyen said she’s never drawing red lines but that it would be completely unacceptable if Netanyahu would invade Rafah. Nicolas Schmit, for the Party
of European Socialists, said we need to give Europeans the feeling of security. Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, for the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe party, said there’s now a chance to build a Europe that keeps us safe. Anders Vistisen, for the far-right Identity and Democracy Party, said Brussels is a swamp and that his party would want to start by firing bureaucrats. During the debate, Vistisen clashed with other candidates several times over a range of issues, including allegations of Russian and Chinese influence. Walter Baier, for the Party of the European Left, focused on housing costs and the difficulties faced by young people. Volt has raised concerns about not being able to participate in today’s debate. “Values and rights cannot be divided due to a political agenda,” Europe’s socialists argued during the debate. The Greens, who are behind in the EU-wide polls, enjoyed the support of young people in the audience. The Maastricht debate has ended. Valeriu Ghilețchi for the European Christian Political Movement said that he grew up in the Soviet Union, and that in his wildest dreams he couldn’t have imagined he’d be at this free debate. Walter Baier for the Party of the European Left said his party is choosing the disadvantaged. “We think that all these people and you deserve better,” he said. Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, for the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party, said that security was key, and prosperity and well-being depend upon it. “Europe needs courageous solutions,” said Nicolas Schmit for the Party
of European Socialists. “We need to be bold on industry, we need to be bold on defence, we need to be bold on fighting climate change – but also we need to be bold on social justice,” he said. Ursula von der Leyen, in her conclusion, said that being a mother and grandmother has shaped how she sees the future. “Europe has brought us so much: peace, freedom, prosperity – but today, what I’m really worried about is that these values are under attack, from within and from outside.” “And therefore, I advocate that we, we who love Europe, stand united and stand proud, for a strong Europe, that we know that we want to build a majority for a strong Europe, and I want to build this majority with you, with my experience, with solutions, and with all my passion I have for Europe, and for that, I ask you for support.” Anders Vistisen, for the far-right Identity and Democracy Party, said in his closing statement that only the ID group is in opposition – if you want more mass migration, vote for them, if you want tight migration laws vote for us, he said. If you want to be a free European citizen, vote for us, he said.