EC Presidential Candidates Face Off in Televised Debate

Four of the candidates for the European Commission Presidency took part in a live-broadcasted debate in the Dutch city of Maastricht on Monday night.

Martin Shulz, nominee of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, Jean-Claude Juncker of the European People's Party, Ska Keller of the Greens, and Guy Verhofstadt of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) debated on the key EU issues such as unemployment, the economy, and immigration.

Verhofstadt made a strong claim for creating more jobs over the next years as the top priority for Europe. He stressed that the Commission must take a more central role and assume greater responsibilities to reverse the negative trends. The ALDE candidate was extremely critical of the proponents of national politics, who "wish to retreat within national borders as a solution". He was adamant that the crisis must be tackled on a European level, in which the common market must be further developed, with less regulation, but more unity.

The focus of Shulz's argument was bringing the economy back to the people. The Socialist candidate claimed that the major force behind the Eurozone crisis is the irresponsible behavior of financial speculators and the major capital holders. He urged his colleagues to "talk less about billions and millions and more about those living with thousands".

Keller stressed the importance of encouraging a greener economy for Europe, one which would focus on sustainable development rather than short-term profits. She argued that the European politicians must do a better job in listening to the real demands and problems of the people and to address them adequately.

The EPP candidate Jean-Claude Juncker often found himself...