On 15 May 2019, the lead candidates for the presidency of the European Commission take part in a live Eurovision debate at the Parliament in Brussels. Frans TIMMERMANS, lead candidate of the Party of European Socialists (PES), Manfred WEBER, lead candidate of the European People’s Party (EPP), Ska KELLER, lead candidate of the European Greens (Greens), Nico CUÉ, lead candidate of the European Left (EL), Margrethe VESTAGER, lead candidate of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) as member of Team Europe, and Jan ZAHRADIL, lead candidate of the Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe (ACRE) debate youth unemployment. Followed by Social Media Hub Insert 1.

Brussels

youth guarantee schemes (T)

WEBER, Manfred (EPP, DE)

TIMMERMANS, Frans (NL, EC)

KELLER, Ska (Greens/EFA, DE)

VESTAGER, Margrethe (DK, CE)

ZAHRADIL, Jan (ECR, CZ)

Eurovision debate between candidates for the Presidency of the European Commission (T)

2019 European elections (T)

CUÉ, Nico (BE)

Presidency of the European Commission / Eurovision Debate - Topic 2: Youth unemployment. Followed by Social Media Hub Insert 1

SOUNDBITE (English), Jan ZAHRADIL, ACRE lead candidate, talking about how the commission should develop a business friendly environment. Need for tailor-made solutions for member states which are very different from each other, focus on youth legislation

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER, EPP lead candidate, talking about the need to create jobs through good economic policy including infrastructure, research and a stronger single market.

SOUNDBITE (French), Nico CU&#201;, EL lead candidate, talking about how austerity is not helping to put people into jobs and that proper labour contracts should be offered to young people across Europe.

SOUNDBITE (English), Margrethe VESTAGER, ALDE lead candidate as member of Team Europe, talking about the necessity to make sure there is enough education, training and jobs. Need for strong economy and well paid full time jobs. Call on social partners to help the commission out.

SOUNDBITE (English), Frans TIMMERMANS, PES lead candidate, talking about expanding Erasmus across Europe's and a minimum wage, which is 60 percent of the median wage, to expand the youth package and lower the voting age to sixteen so they have a stronger say.

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER, EPP lead candidate, talking about how socialist politicians were responsible for austerity measures and should take responsibilty for it.

SOUNDBITE (English), Frans TIMMERMANS, talking about more countries should abolish austerity measures.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ska KELLER, Greens lead candidate, talking about how austerity has caused great harm to young people and the European Union as a whole. Need for a  binding youth pact and investing in Green jobs.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jan ZAHRADIL, ACRE lead candidate, <p>asking Frans Timmermans if the fact of diverse levels of unemployment in EU member states is proof that national parliaments better fit to find solutions? </p>  <p></p>

SOUNDBITE (English), Frans TIMMERMANS, PES lead candidate, asking Jan Zahradil back if this logic would have been applied to structural funds and if the Czech Republic would be in such a good place without it.