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 taxation and competition. Followed by Social Media Hub Insert 2.

Brussels

WEBER, Manfred (EPP, DE)

TIMMERMANS, Frans (NL, EC)

fight against tax fraud and evasion (T)

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 4: Taxation / competition. Followed by Social Media Hub Insert 2

SOUNDBITE (English), Margrethe VESTAGER, ALDE lead candidate as member of Team Europe, talking about how Europe-wide change in taxation is already coming. Need for digital taxation and avoid race to the bottom.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ska KELLER, Greens lead candidate, talking about how big companies are not paying their taxes and the need of tax justice. Need for Digital Tax and Minimum tax for companies as well as transparency rules without exemption.

SOUNDBITE (English), Frans TIMMERMANS, PES lead candidate, suggesting a minimum tax of 18 percent for companies and big companies should pay taxes as well. All countries can be convinced to work together, it is also a question of solidarity.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jan ZAHRADIL, ACRE lead candidate, talking about how only states can tax companies but Europe is not a state. Believes that tax evasion should be forbidden and they should be taxed on a national level and to create a level playing field and competitive environment.

SOUNDBITE (French), Nico CU&#201;, EL lead candidate, talking about how public infrastructure suffers by companies tax avoidance. Tax dumping is taking place on European level, money should be invested into schools, whistle-blowers should be protected.

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER, EPP lead candidate, talking about how the EU needs to use its economical power to pressure states into taxing international companies. Money of digital taxation should be reinvested into the changing work environment. Tax competition is important but some areas ask for coordinated European approach.