Main Candidates for the EU’s Next Leader Face Off in Debate

Candidates for European Commission debated topics including the economy and jobs, defense, climate change, democracy, and immigration.

Lead candidates for the European Commission presidency, (L–R) European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European People's Party; Nicolas Schmit, Party of European Socialists; Terry Reintke, European Greens; Sandro Gozi, Renew Europe Now; and Walter Baier, European Left; face off in a live debate in Brussels on May 23, 2024. Screenshot via Epoch Times, Reuters

In the last debate before the European parliamentary election, incumbent European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen faced off against four other contenders on a range of issues.

The European Union (EU) will hold elections from June 6–9, during which citizens of each of the 27 nations in the EU will elect their representatives to the European Parliament for a five-year term.