Reflections on first-ever debate between European Commission President candidates
- 10 years ago
Following the first-ever televised debate between candidates for President of the European Commission, journalist at French paper Liberation Jean Quatremer and editor of Europolitics Christophe Garach gave their opinions on how it went.
euronews correspondent Fred Bouchard asked: “Did the debate have a winner?”
“Well, it’s democracy,” replied Jean Quatremer.
“We have a real political debate. It really is the first time in the history of the European Union that the candidates for President of the Commission are known – that they say what they’ll do, discuss their policy options, and that voters can make a choice.”
“I’m a little more pessimistic,” said Christophe Garach.
“Yes it’s true that there’s been public debate and candidates’ names have been revealed. But in the end, even after the election, I’m not convinced that the doors will be truly open to see how majorities will be chosen and programmes selected. There will have to be negotiations, and there, unfortunately, the doors will remain closed.”
Watch the debate in full and get more in-depth analysis from the studio guests at euronews.com.
euronews correspondent Fred Bouchard asked: “Did the debate have a winner?”
“Well, it’s democracy,” replied Jean Quatremer.
“We have a real political debate. It really is the first time in the history of the European Union that the candidates for President of the Commission are known – that they say what they’ll do, discuss their policy options, and that voters can make a choice.”
“I’m a little more pessimistic,” said Christophe Garach.
“Yes it’s true that there’s been public debate and candidates’ names have been revealed. But in the end, even after the election, I’m not convinced that the doors will be truly open to see how majorities will be chosen and programmes selected. There will have to be negotiations, and there, unfortunately, the doors will remain closed.”
Watch the debate in full and get more in-depth analysis from the studio guests at euronews.com.