Eurovision debate, 23 May 2024

The debate is organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in collaboration with the European political parties and the European Parliament.

EBU has announced the lead candidates for the Commission presidency who have confirmed their presence at the debate on 23 May:
•    Walter Baier (Austria), European Left
•    Sandro Gozi (Italy), Renew Europe Now
•    Ursula von der Leyen (Germany), European People’s Party (EPP)
•    Terry Reintke (Germany), European Greens
•    Nicolas Schmit (Luxembourg), Party of European Socialists (PES)

The five candidates will debate on several key topics. Questions will be asked by the audience in the plenary chamber, by viewers watching from events organised by Parliament’s Liaison Offices across the EU, submitted via social media, and by the two moderators. Candidates will also face one-on-one questioning by the moderators in so-called “Spotlight” segments, a new feature in the Eurovision Debate 2024.

You can watch the debate live on the Facebook page of the European Parliament and on Parliament's website (Multimedia centre).

Background

The European Parliament has long sought to ensure that, by voting in European elections, citizens not only elect the Parliament itself but also have a say over who will lead the European Commission.

Ahead of the 2014 European elections, Parliament called on the European political parties to nominate candidates for the Presidency of the European Commission. The aim was to allow citizens to influence directly, through their vote in the European elections, the choice of the head of the European executive. This procedure has become known as the Spitzenkandidaten ('lead candidates' in German) process.

More details on the lead candidate debate here.