Exchange of blows on the European election campaign in the glossy studio: Ursula von der Leyen defended her “Green Deal” against criticism – and did not rule out an alliance with right-wing conservatives.
It was a friendly reception with which the eight top candidates were welcomed on the stage of a theater and concert hall in the heart of Maastricht. As in the US election campaign, they stood next to each other at lecterns. The format is not entirely new for the European election campaign either.
This debate took place before a European election five and ten years ago. It will be held entirely in English and, for those interested, will also be translated into German on a special channel on the Internet. A total of 90 minutes remain for the discussion, which requires strict time management by the two moderators.
Even a sitting EU Commission President occasionally has to bow to this when she asks for the opportunity to give an additional answer – but has to promise that she will keep it really short.
Climate change as a central issue
It covers the major current issues of international politics: security and the war in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, the dangers to democracy from external manipulation. And of course: the “Green Deal”, the heart of the Commission over the past five years.
This will not be lost, promises the Social Democratic top candidate Nicolas Schmit: “It would be a big mistake to let up in the fight against climate change now. We have to be courageous in sticking to our decisions.”
But Luxembourger and challenger Ursula von der Leyen, who is currently sitting at the cabinet table as Commissioner for Labor and Social Affairs, believes that more balance needs to be found: “We have to finance all of this in a socially fair and equitable manner.”
“We are only at the beginning of this marathon”
Bas Eickhout from the Green Party accuses von der Leyen of getting stuck halfway with the “Green Deal”. She proclaimed this to be her big project, just like Kennedy once did with the flight to the moon. “Imagine if Kennedy had said back then: Oh, half way is ok too,” he turns to the Commission President.
Europe needs an investment program for climate-clean and affordable houses and money for public transport. Eickhout believes the “Green Deal” was a good start, “but we are only at the beginning of this marathon.”
Von der Leyen points to the 650 billion euros that are already available, but private capital must also be added. Regarding the criticism that the “Green Deal” regulates the economy too much, she says: No, it is not a problem for competition, but – on the contrary – its solution.
Von der Leyen is keeping his options open
Most of the positions in the debate, in which direct dialogues and arguments occasionally develop, are not surprising.
The Danish representative of the ID faction, to which the AfD from Germany also belongs, wants to limit migration more, the representative of the Left – he comes from Austria – wants to do more for affordable housing. The FDP politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, who stands for the liberal group in the European Parliament, considers security to be the key question of the European future.
An interesting news moment came when it came to possible alliances after the election. Von der Leyen is asked how she feels about the EKR, the national-conservative alliance that includes, for example, the Polish PiS and Georgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy. That depends very much on what the composition of Parliament will be and who is in which group, answers the Commission boss – so no clear exclusion.
Plea from an ex-Soviet soldier
A touching moment at the end of the debate was provided by Valeriu Ghiletchi from the European Christian Movement, a pastor and electrical engineer from Romania who was born and raised in the Soviet Union.
“Even in my wildest dreams,” admits Ghiletchi, “I could never have imagined that I, a former Soviet soldier, would one day stand here and take part in a free debate. But our dreams can come true. That’s why I’m calling to stand up for our fundamental freedoms and I pray: God protect Europe.”
The Maastricht debate was the first of probably two with the top candidates. The second is scheduled for May 23rd.
Thomas Spickhofen, ARD Brussels, tagesschau, April 30, 2024 7:54 a.m