The first of four debates between the four candidates for the presidency of the European Commission will take place in Maastricht Monday, and is set to be broadcasted live on Euronews at 8pm Athens time.
Jean Claude Juncker of the European People’s Party, Martin Schulz of the Party of European Socialists, Guy Verhofstadt of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party and finally Ska Keller of the European Green Party will have 90 minutes in order to discuss major issues concerning the future of the European Union. Among other subjects, they will discuss the economic situation, immigration policy, European foreign policy and, of course, the rising skepticism in regards to the EU project.
Alexis Tsipras, leader of SYRIZA and and the European Left Party’s candidate for the European Commission presidency will not be participating in the debate due to scheduling conflicts. According to SYRIZA representatives, Tsipras was not informed of the event until very late and he could not change his schedule, which includes a tour of European cities.
However, SYRIZA’s leader will take part in the last of the four debates, which will also be broadcasted live and will take place in the European Parliament on May 15.
Tsipras told an audience in Portugal on Sunday that they must choose between “the left or Merkel.”
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