Achi news desk-
A debate begins
The debate now officially begins, with the moderators taking the stage.
You can watch the feed here (note that it will not be translated into English):
Key events
Debates move on to democracy and leadership
The democracy section of the debate begins now.
Today’s debate, organized by the European Broadcasting Union, is moderated by Martin Řezniček from Czech TV and Annelies Beck from VRT Belgium.
Questions are also coming in from all over Europe.
Terry Reintke, for the Greens of Europe, says her father, who is in the audience, grew up on a farm. He said that if we want to make the green deal a success, we need to get people involved. If we don’t invest to tackle the climate crisis, it will be much more expensive in the future, he argued.
Terry Reintkefor the European Greens, she said that she comes from a country – Germany – where in the past conservatives and liberals underestimated the threat of the extreme right.
The climate crisis does not wait, he emphasized, calling for the creation of green jobs. Choose courage, choose green, he said.
Terry Reintkefor the Greens of Europe, which is next under the spotlight.
Ursula von der Leyenfor the centre-right party European People, took a swipe at Renew’s Sandro Gozzi. She said too Walter Baier that the EU is investing massively.
Terry Reintke, for the European Greens, that when we look at the green deal, we also need to look at how to create a circular economy. How we can recycle resources better must become a core issue in Europe, he said, calling for the extension of the Emissions Trading System (ETS).
Sandro Gozziwho represents Renew Europe Now, that we must make the single market more sustainable, simply.
Terry Reintke, for the European Greens, that a green industrial deal is needed. There is potential for large companies, who see opportunities in green industry, and enable them to implement it.
He also called for reform of the EU’s common agricultural policy. We need to change the way we distribute subsidies in Europe, he argued.
This transformation requires investment. This continent can be a leader in terms of climate neutrality and competitiveness, says Reintke.
The next question comes from Spain, on the next steps in the fight against climate change.
Nicolas Schmitt, on behalf of the Party of European Socialists, that massive investments need to be mobilized to decarbonise. This is the issue: how can we use the resources, how can we make climate policies acceptable to everyone, he said, emphasizing the need for social dialogue. Everyone can be a winner with the right climate policy, says the socialist candidate.
Ursula von der Leyen, for the centre-right party European People, that climate change is a fact and that is why he put climate neutrality by 2050 in this mandate. We have built the road map to get there, and now we are in the implementation phase, he said, noting that dialogue continues with industry and with farmers.
In the farmers’ dialogue, the answers are clear: we want climate neutrality and want to get there, but want to move from conditionality to incentives, let’s go to modern technologies, he said. And the same is true of industry, he said. That is the task for the next mandate, said the president of the Commission.
Climate and environment section begins
The debate moves to the climate issue.
Sandro Gozziwho represents Renew Europe Now, who does not understand how the European People’s party and Ursula von der Leyen are ready to open to the European Conservatives and Reformers.
The Dutch VVD issue will be discussed in June, he noted.
Sandro Gozzi He said a more democratic and powerful Europe was possible.
I am an Italian running in France, and debating in Brussels, he pointed out.
We must renew Europe now, he said.
Sandro Gozzirepresenting Renew Europe Now, is the next one to have a spotlight interview on stage.
