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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
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Lili Bayer in Brussels

Von der Leyen quizzed on whether she would work with far-right in EU election debate – as it happened

Europe European Union ID European Commission Nicolas Schmit Terry Reintke Ursula von der Leyen Brussels Economy
From left, lead candidates for the European Parliament elections, Sandro Gozi, for Renew Europe Now, Terry Reintke for the European Greens, Walter Baier, for the European Left, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, for the European People's Party, and Nicolas Schmit, for the Party of European Socialists.
From left, lead candidates for the European Parliament elections, Sandro Gozi, for Renew Europe Now, Terry Reintke for the European Greens, Walter Baier, for the European Left, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, for the European People's Party, and Nicolas Schmit, for the Party of European Socialists. Photograph: Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP

We are now closing this blog but you can read our coverage of the ID grouping expelling Germany’s AfD below. It also covers the debate among the would-be European Commission presidents in which Ursula von der Leyen was quizzed over which parties she would be prepared to work with.

Updated

Summary of the day

  • The bureau of the Identity and Democracy group in the European parliament said it is excluding the Alternative for Germany delegation with immediate effect

  • Politicians debated the future of the EU in the third and final election debate ahead of the June European elections.

  • Ursula von der Leyen, Nicolas Schmit, Terry Reintke, Sandro Gozi and Walter Baier debated the economy, defence, migration and democracy, among other topics.

  • The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and the Identity and Democracy (ID) party were not represented in the debate.

  • Von der Leyen defended her record as European Commission president.

  • The discussion often returned to the theme of investment, particularly when it comes to climate and defence.

  • Other participants questioned von der Leyen’s positioning on which parties on the right she would be open to working with, focusing in particular on the question of whether the she would work with Giorgia Meloni and the ECR.

  • Von der Leyen said her three criteria for cooperation are being pro-European, pro-Ukraine and against Putin, and for the rule of law.

  • Pressed on Meloni and the ECR, von der Leyen did not fully answer the question. “We’re gonna see whether those who are pro-European – and she is clearly pro-European – against Putin – she’s been very clear on that one – and pro-rule of law, if this holds – and then we offer to work together,” she said.

  • Schmit presented a strong critique of migration policies that have reportedly led to migrants being pushed into the desert. He also pushed von der Leyen on her red lines when it comes to the far-right.

  • Gozi made the case for “real European power” and called for stepping up investment in defence, with financing in the form of joint bonds.

  • Reintke said the climate crisis is not waiting and said the way the EU makes decisions must be improved.

  • When it comes to Russia’s war in Ukraine, the European Left’s Baier said he don’t see a solution on the battlefield. His position contrasted with that of others on stage. Von der Leyen stressed that it’s important to improve the European defence industry and invest in European projects while continuing to stand by Ukraine.

The EU election debate in Brussels was not the only event today: this evening, Gabriel Attal and Jordan Bardella will debate on France 2.

The far-right Belgian party Vlaams Belang has also criticised the format of today’s debate.

Meanwhile, the far-right Identity and Democracy party is holding a campaign rally in Prague.

There are many different views of how politicians performed in this afternoon’s debate.

The European People’s party president, Manfred Weber, claimed victory for Ursula von der Leyen.

Takeaways from today's debate

  • Nicolas Schmit takes a stand: The socialists’ candidate, a current member of the European Commission, was seen earlier in the campaign as a soft-spoken, relatively low-profile figure who mostly tended to agree with his boss, Ursula von der Leyen. But at today’s debate, he delivered a couple of fiery critiques, pushing von der Leyen to define her red lines on cooperation with the far-right and criticising treatment of migrants by third countries which are working together with the EU.

  • It was a good day for the Greens’ Terry Reintke. While the Greens are not doing well in the polls, their candidates tend to perform well in debates, where they appear polished and appeal to a younger crowd.

  • Von der Leyen sticks to her lines but remains vague: The European Commission president, as usual, appeared well-rehearsed. But she avoided giving concrete answers to the biggest political question of the afternoon – how she sees conservative, nationalist and far-right groups.

How did Ursula von der Leyen do?

Ursula von der Leyen, the clear frontrunner, mostly stuck to her script, repeating her long-standing positions on the economy, migration and defence.

But the other participants put a heavy emphasis on the lack of clarity on which parties on the right – and far-right – von der Leyen is willing to cooperate with.

Von der Leyen outlined three criteria for cooperation: pro-Europe, pro-Ukraine and pro-rule of law.

A key moment came when the Commission president was asked about whether Giorgia Meloni and her Brothers of Italy party – which forms part of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) – fulfil her criteria.

So I have been working very well with Giorgia Meloni in the European Council, as I do with all the heads of state and government, this is my task as president of the Commission.

Now, the topics we’re gonna offer, there we’re gonna see whether those who are pro-European – and she is clearly pro-European – against Putin – she’s been very clear on that one – and pro-rule of law, if this holds – and then we offer to work together.

But asked if this means we would be prepared to work with the ECR, von der Leyen said:

That’s not what I’ve said. I want to be very clear, this is not what I’ve said.

I’m speaking about members of the European parliament, I want to see where they group themselves. And then we work with the groups that are clearly – clearly – pro-European, pro-Ukraine, against Putin and for the rule of law.

Updated

Like Identity and Democracy, the European Free Alliance also raised concerns that it was not allowed to participate in today’s debate.

In today’s debate, a number of participants criticised the centre-right for not ruling out working with the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR).

The group, which was not represented at the debate today, currently includes parties such as Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy, Poland’s Law and Justice and Spain’s far-right Vox.

Updated

Debate ends

The debate has ended.

Updated

Nicolas Schmit, for the Party of European Socialists, said he’s not against AI, but it has to be human-centered.

Asked about deepfakes, Terry Reintke, for the European Greens, said platforms need to take more responsibility and that enforcement of the law will be key.

She said she knows some people are afraid of the future and they don’t know what will come after this election. Europe is your home, she said, addressing diversity.

Sandro Gozi, representing Renew Europe Now, said he doesn’t want to restrict freedoms, but there must be transparency.

Walter Baier, representing the Party of the European Left, said the EU has taken reasonable measures, such as the Digital Services Act. Data and information should be controlled by society, he said.

Ursula von der Leyen pointed to the case of TikTok, arguing that the EU has leverage.

Europe is lagging behind in many areas, Nicolas Schmit, for the Party of European Socialists, said, stressing his call for more European investment.

We have to encourage innovators, creators, startups, he said.

We need the right financing, capital markets union, he added.

Updated

Innovation and technology up next

The debate is moving to its last section: innovation and tech.

Walter Baier, representing the Party of the European Left, is now in the spotlight.

Asked about his position on negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, he said he’s in favour of a cease-fire and a diplomatic solution.

I don’t see a solution on the battlefield, he said. We must put pressure on Russia, he added.

Asked about his opposition to Nato expansion, Baier said every country decides autonomously, Austria is neutral, and security in the future must be based on a collective system of security and arms reduction.

Asked if there’s anything he agrees on with the others on stage, he said he agrees on transforming the European economy into an ecological one, on spending money on social housing. He said there’s a lot of agreement, but often a difference between words and deeds.

Updated

Identity and Democracy to exclude Alternative for Germany

Meanwhile, the far-right group Identity and Democracy (ID) in the European Parliament said it had decided to exclude the Alternative for Germany (AfD) delegation from its group.

“The ID Group no longer wants to be associated with the incidents involving Maximilian Krah, head of the AfD list for the European elections,” the group said, Reuters reported.

Krah recently told the Italian newspaper La Repubblica that the SS, the Nazis’ main paramilitary force, were “not all criminals”. He later said that that his comments were “being misused as a pretext to damage our party”.

France’s far-right National Rally (RN) had already said it would not sit in ID grouping with the AfD after the June elections. Other ID parties include Matteo Salvini’s League in Italy, Austria’s Freedom party (FPÖ), Geert Wilders’ Freedom party (PVV) in the Netherlands and Vlaams Belang in Belgium.

Updated

Ursula von der Leyen spoke about the need to invest in countries, and in safe pathways.

Nicolas Schmit, for the Party of European Socialists, said Europe has a solidarity project – and solidarity must start with those most vulnerable.

He said that when he looks at the situation in Tunisia, and what happens to refugees pushed into the desert and beaten up, some of them killed, this is not Europe, this is not European values.

He pointed to a recent investigation by a group of newspapers.

Updated

Ursula von der Leyen, for the centre-right European People’s party, said Europe must fulfil international obligations but Europeans decide who comes in, not smugglers and human traffickers.

Those here irregularly and not eligible for asylum must go home, but we need legal pathways to come to the EU, she said.

Walter Baier, representing the Party of the European Left, said people should be received in dignity and respecting their human rights.

His comments got applause in the room.

Sandro Gozi, representing Renew Europe Now, said that there’s a need to rescue people at sea.

Europe can take back control in a human way, he said.

Updated

Terry Reintke, for the European Greens, said Europe is an ageing continent and there’s a need to create legal pathways, and have a resilient asylum system.

We need to have policies that meet humanitarian standards and are implementable, she said.

There’s a need to end the death at sea, she said, calling for an EU search and rescue mission.

Migration section begins

The debate has moved on to migration and borders.

Asked about her position on Israel and Gaza and her initial reaction, Ursula von der Leyen said it was absolutely necessary to acknowledge the horror of October 7.

Member states have different objectives, but we’re all behind the two-state solution, let’s work on that, she said.

Updated

Asked if Giorgia Meloni fits her criteria, Ursula von der Leyen said she’s worked well with Meloni in her current role.

She’s clearly pro-European, she’s been against Putin, she said.

We have to build a majority to move Europe forward, to build a strong Europe, she said.

Asked if she’s prepared to work with the ECR, von der Leyen said: that’s not what I said.

Asked about Meloni’s approach to LGBT issues, von der Leyen said she has a different approach.

Updated

Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president and lead candidate for the centre-right European People’s party, said that campaigning for a second term is one of the best things that ever happened to her.

Young people are fascinating because they are the strongest supporters of Europe, she said.

I’m ready to build a majority for a strong Europe, she said.

Ursula von der Leyen is now in the spotlight.

Updated

Ursula von der Leyen, for the centre-right European People’s party, said the EU has means to ensure the law is implemented.

Ursula von der Leyen said in response that she has three criteria for which groups she would work with:

Pro-Europe, pro-Ukraine/anti-Putin and pro-rule of law.

She said parties such as National Rally and AfD may have different names and principles, but are friends of Putin and want to destroy Europe, and we will not allow this to happen.

Updated

Nicolas Schmit, for the Party of European Socialists, has reiterated his call for Ursula von der Leyen to be clear on what her red lines are on possible partnerships.

I cannot imagine Meloni’s idea of Europe is not same as yours, he told the European Commission president.

Article 7 must be changed to be much tougher on countries not respecting the rule of law, he added.

Terry Reintke, for the European Greens, said we have to improve the way we decide on things in the EU.

We need a strong European parliament, we need own resources – we get more tasks, but don’t have the funds to put things in place, she argued.

Enlargement would only work if there’s institutional reform to make the EU fit for next decades and centuries, she said.

Responding to the controversy surrounding the Dutch VVD, Sandro Gozi, representing Renew Europe Now, said that Renew Europe is focused on the June 9 election and that the group’s leader has made it clear a debate will take place on VVD’s membership. It won’t take years to decide like it did for the European People’s party on Viktor Orbán, he said.

Updated

Walter Baier, representing the Party of the European Left, said the agenda of the far-right must not be included in the discourse. The problem is not migration but the far-right, he argued. The far-right’s arguments must be countered, he said.

Terry Reintke, for the European Greens, said that the VVD in the Netherlands – which sits with Renew Europe – bears responsibility for what happened in the country’s election campaign.

Sandro Gozi, representing Renew Europe Now, cited Queen’s song “Don’t Stop Me Now”.

“Don’t stop the EU now,” he said. Now is the time for reform, he argued.

Walter Baier, representing the Party of the European Left, said he was shocked by Ursula von der Leyen’s position on cooperation with the far-right.

The core of the problem is the social question, he argued.

The next question comes from Slovakia.

The country was shocked last week when the prime minister, Robert Fico, was shot. He remains in hospital is serious condition.

Updated

Debates moves on to democracy and leadership

The democracy section of the debate starts now.

Updated

Today’s debate, organised by the European Broadcasting Union, is moderated by Martin Řezníček from Czech television and Annelies Beck from Belgium’s VRT.

Questions are also coming in from around Europe.

Terry Reintke, for the European Greens, said her father, who is in the audience, grew up on a farm. She said that if we want to make the green deal a success, there’s a need to get people on board. If we don’t invest in tackling the climate crisis, it will be much more expensive in the future, she argued.

Terry Reintke, for the European Greens, said she comes from a country – Germany – where in the past conservatives and liberal underestimated the threat of the far-right.

The climate crisis is not waiting, she stressed, calling for creating green jobs. Choose courage, choose green, she said.

Updated

Terry Reintke, for the European Greens, is next in the spotlight.

Ursula von der Leyen, for the centre-right European People’s party, has taken a swipe at Renew’s Sandro Gozi. She also told Walter Baier that the EU does invest massively.

Updated

Terry Reintke, for the European Greens, said that when we look at the green deal, we also need to look at how to create a circular economy. How we can better recycle resources must become a core issue in Europe, she said, calling for extending the Emissions Trading System (ETS).

Sandro Gozi, representing Renew Europe Now, said we must make the single market more sustainable, to simply.

Terry Reintke, for the European Greens, said there’s a need for a green industrial deal. There’s potential for big companies, who see chances in green industry, and enable them to put it in practice.

She also called for a reform of the EU’s common agricultural policy. We need to change the way we distribute subsidies in Europe, she argued.

There’s a need for investment for this transformation. This continent can be a frontunner when it comes to climate neutrality and competitiveness, Reintke said.

The next question comes from Spain, on the next steps in the fight against climate change.

Updated

Nicolas Schmit, for the Party of European Socialists, said huge investments need to be mobilised to decarbonise. This is the issue: how can we mobilise the resources, how can we make climate policies acceptable for everyone, he said, stressing the need for social dialogue. Everybody can be the winner with the right climate policy, the socialist candidate said.

Ursula von der Leyen, for the centre-right European People’s party, said that climate change is a fact and that’s why she put climate neutrality by 2050 in this mandate. We have built the roadmap to get there, and now we’re in the implementation phase, she said, noting that there’s a dialogue ongoing with industry and with farmers.

In the farmers’ dialogue, the answers are clear: we want climate neutrality and want to get there, but want to move from conditionality to incentives, let’s go to modern technologies, she said. And the same goes for industry, she said. That’s the task for the next mandate, the Commission president said.

Climate and environment section begins

The debate is moving to the climate issue.

Sandro Gozi, representing Renew Europe Now, said he doesn’t understand how the European People’s party and Ursula von der Leyen are ready to open up to the European Conservatives and Reformists.

The issue of the Dutch VVD will be discussed in June, he noted.

Updated

Sandro Gozi said a more democratic and powerful Europe is possible.

I’m an Italian running in France, and debating in Brussels, he noted.

We must renew Europe now, he said.

Updated

Sandro Gozi, representing Renew Europe Now, is the next one getting a spotlight interview on stage.

Ursula von der Leyen, for the centre-right European People’s party, said we all know it’s a dramatic situation in Gaza, but we should not forget where it came from, pointing to the events of October 7.

Israel has the right to defend itself, while respecting international law, von der Leyen said, pointing to European humanitarian assistance to people in Gaza.

The two-state solution is the only light in the end of the tunnel, the Commission president said.

Walter Baier, representing the Party of the European Left, said he’s amazed by the fact that we are standing here talking about peace and security and nobody even mentions Gaza and Israel.

His comments got some applause in the room.

Nicolas Schmit, for the Party of European Socialists, says you have to look at what happens every night in the skies of Ukraine.

They are destroying every day houses in Ukraine, and if we don’t support Ukraine boldly, we know the Russians will be at our borders, he said, speaking passionately.

Ursula von der Leyen says it’s paramount to invest in defence.

There are two options: national contributions or new own resources for the European level. And it’s time to speak about new own resources, she said, calling for joining forces and talking to member states in order to really fund defence.

Sandro Gozi, representing Renew Europe Now, has addressed Ursula von der Leyen, saying he’s disappointed, and noting we don’t know if she is in favour of bonds for defence.

Walter Baier, representing the Party of the European Left, said the most urgent threat is the ecological disaster. We can spend every euro only once, he said.

He said he believes there’s a need for a political solution.

Terry Reintke, for the European Greens, said there’s a need to speak about the rise of the far-right. We see revelations of far-right politicians working with Russia and China, she said, calling for Europe to resist what she described as the far-right threat.

Her comments elicited some cheers in the audience in Brussels.

Ursula von der Leyen, for the centre-right European People’s party, said there’s a need to improve Europe’s defence industry, ensure fragmentation stops, have common Europe projects, but first and foremost stand by Ukraine. Ukraine is fighting a war that is freedom against oppression, Ukraine is fighting for our values and all free nations, she said.

Nicolas Schmit, for the Party of European Socialists, said we haven’t chosen the war, we haven’t chosen the threats coming from Russia – and it is important for our security to invest in defence. That does not mean, he added, that we should not invest in our social cohesion. Both have to be possible, he argued.

Young voters in the audience have asked a question on whether the EU should now focus on arming its own member states.

Terry Reintke, for the European Green, we are at a turning point for Europe and that there’s a need to work together on procurement, research and development. We need a European fund on defence, she argued, while also calling for ending unanimity rules for foreign policy.

Responding to a question from a first-time voter in Lithuania, Sandro Gozi, representing Renew Europe Now, said there’s a need for real European power. We want to develop a European defence industry, he said, planning for a plan with joint bonds.

Debate moves on to defence and security

The debate will now move to its second section, on defence and security.

Updated

Asked if he would work with Ursula von der Leyen if she would work with the European Conservatives and Democrats or Identity and Democracy, Nicolas Schmit, for the Party of European Socialists, said he does not consider ECR and ID as democratic forces.

Our red lines have been clearly exposed, he stressed. Unfortunately, the European People’s party did not want to sign, he said. We need clarity and not ambiguity, he added.

Updated

Asked about his experience at the Commission, Nicolas Schmit, for the Party of European Socialists, said the minimum wage is a great achievement and that there’s no reason for people in some parts of Europe to have very low wages. He spoke of a directive adopted to protect platform workers, also pointing to the need for a strong policy to take children out of poverty.

Nicolas Schmit said that what drives him is to improve living conditions for European citizens. We need to give workers decent wages, good working conditions, quality jobs, he said, calling for equality for women in the labour world. To young people, we have to respond to their wish that the green transition is implemented – and we need to give them good jobs, he said, also stressing need to deliver on good social services.

There’s now a spotlight section featuring a one-on-one with Nicolas Schmit, representing the Party of European Socialists. He’s a member of the European Commission, from Luxembourg.

Updated

A question has come in about a European pension. Ursula von der Leyen, for the centre-right European People’s party, noted pensions are member states’ responsibility but that Europe can help, pointing to issues such as competitiveness.

Walter Baier, representing the Party of the European Left, said that he is in principle in favour of enlargement but that it should respect workers’ rights and democracy.

Sandro Gozi, representing Renew Europe Now, said that we want to unify the continent but that it’s clear that it’s impossible to enlarge without reforms.

A question now comes in from France: what impact would enlargement have on Europe’s economy and should the accession process for new members be sped up or slowed down?

Updated

Walter Baier, representing the Party of the European Left, said there’s a need to be concrete on the issue of poverty.

He emphasised the issue of housing prices and rents, calling for the EU to decide on a directive that obliges member states to put rent caps.

He called for addressing real-life problems in today’s debate.

Updated

Terry Reintke, for the European Greens, said there’s a need to break the contradiction between climate and the economy.

To make the green deal a reality, we now need to invest, she argued, noting that the biggest mistake now would be to fall back into austerity.

Updated

Nicolas Schmit, for the Party of European Socialists, said there’s a need to mobilise to combat poverty. We have to give people the right opportunities, job opportunities, he argued. It is important that people are skilled, he said, calling for investing in people. This makes a better economy and better living standards, he said.

The first question is about the fight against poverty and job creation.

Economy and jobs section of debate begins

The first debate topic is economy and jobs.

One of the moderators has noted that some parties are not represented here because they didn’t put forward a lead candidate.

And Ursula von der Leyen, for the centre-right European People’s party.

Nicolas Schmit, for the Party of European Socialists, is on stage too.

Terry Reintke, for the European Greens, walked in, getting lots of cheers.

Sandro Gozi, representing Renew Europe Now, has walked on stage.

Walter Baier, representing the Party of the European Left, has entered the stage.

Debate kicks off

The debate is now officially starting, with the moderators taking the stage.

You can watch the feed here (please note it will not be translated into English):

Updated

We’re now in the room, waiting for candidates to take the stage. Stay tuned!

Updated

The parties are getting ready…

The far-right Identity and Democracy party has issued an open letter about its concerns regarding today’s debate.

Ahead of today’s debate, Renew Europe Now’s Sandro Gozi is making a case for an “ambitious & competitive” Europe.

Earlier this week, Gozi gave an energetic performance representing Renew at a debate focused on the economy.

What to expect at today's debate

The debate will kick off at 3pm CET.

The five candidates will be asked questions on the following themes:

  • Economy and Jobs

  • Defence and Security

  • Climate and Environment

  • Democracy and Leadership

  • Migration and Borders

  • Innovation and Technology

There will also be “spotlight” segments, where moderators will pose questions to specific contenders.

Lead candidates to debate in Brussels

Today’s debate, to be held at the European parliament in Brussels, is organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which also organises the Eurovision music contest.

This will be the third and last major debate ahead of the June elections. The first, in late April, took place in Maastricht. The second, co-hosted by Bruegel and the Financial Times and focused on economic issues, took place in Brussels earlier this week.

There will be five contenders on stage:

Ursula von der Leyen, the lead candidate for the centre-right European People’s party. Von der Leyen, a German politician, is the current European Commission president who is seeking a second term.

Nicolas Schmit, a politician from Luxembourg currently serving as European commissioner who is the lead candidate for the Party of European Socialists.

Terry Reintke, a German member of the European parliament representing the European Greens.

Sandro Gozi, an Italian politician representing Renew Europe Now.

Walter Baier, an Austrian politician representing the Party of the European Left.

The selection participants has proven controversial.

The far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) party, as well as the European Conservative and Reformists, will not be represented on stage.

While the exclusion is due to rules only permitting formal lead candidates to debate, ID has raised concerns about the arrangement.

Welcome to the blog

Welcome to a special edition of the Europe blog, coming to you from the European parliament in Brussels.

We will be focusing on today’s EU election debate – the last major debate ahead of June’s European elections.

Send thoughts and tips to lili.bayer@theguardian.com.

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