Left and Right trade blows on economy in EU election debate

The biggest of the tv debates between the candidates wishing to become the President of the European Commission for the period 2014-2019 took place in Brussels on the 15 May 2014.

The Greens' leader Ska Keller was joined by Jean-Claude Juncker of the centre-right European People's Party (EPP), Martin Schulz of the Social Democrats (S&D), Guy Verhofstadt of the Liberals (ALDE) and Alexis Tsipras of the European Left.

The debate was part of the political campaigning ahead of the 22-25 May 2014 elections for the European Parliament.

It was shown all over Europe - on 49 TV channels - and in 24 languages.

The Council of the European Union is not obliged to back any of the candidates proposed by the European parties, although the Treaty of Lisbon says that the EU Member State governments must take note of the development.

ESO: Background information: Second EU presidential debate ends with ‘no winner’ http://www.europeansources.info/record/second-eu-presidential-debate-ends-with-no-winner/

ESO: Background information: Rivals for Brussels top job mark out territory live on euronews http://www.europeansources.info/record/rivals-for-brussels-top-job-mark-out-territory-live-on-euronews/

BBC News, 15.05.14: EU leadership rivals hold big debate in TV landmark http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27430515

ESO: Background information: European Parliament: Election, May 2014 http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-parliament-election-may-2014/

Website: EBU: Eurovision debate http://www.eurovisiondebate.tv/

EurActiv, 15.05.14: EU 'Spitzenkandidaten' debate in Brussels http://www.euractiv.com/sections/eu-elections-2014/wrap-eu-spitzenkandidaten-debate-brussels-301779

EurActiv, 16.05.14: Diversity wins as EU presidential candidates try to impress voters http://www.euractiv.com/sections/eu-elections-2014/diversity-wins-eu-presidential-candidates-try-impress-voters-302179

Euronews, 16.05.14: Five go live in EU Commission President TV debate http://www.euronews.com/2014/05/16/five-go-live-in-eu-commission-president-tv-debate/

Deutsche Welle, 16.05.14: TV debate tries to spice up EU election campaign http://dw.de/p/1C10H

European Voice, 16.05.14: Greece steals the spotlight at main presidency debate http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/2014/may/a-pan-european-debate/80950.aspx

EUObserver, 16.05.14: Dress rehearsal for 2019? http://euobserver.com/eu-elections/124160

France 24, 16.05.14: Economy takes centre stage at European Commission debate http://www.france24.com/en/20140516-european-commission-presidency-debate-austerity-economy/

The Press Project, 16.05.14: Tsipras has made it in Europe (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE143537-Tsipras-has-made-it-in-Europe

Kathimerini, 16.05.14: Juncker says rival for EC spot Tsipras not fit to lead Greece http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_16/05/2014_539778

Spiegel Online International, 20.05.14: A Distinct Lack of Excitement: Battle for Brussels Less Than Tense http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/commission-presidency-contenders-campaign-amid-indifference-a-970263.html

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