Previous editions

As the birthplace of the 1992 Maastricht Treaty, Maastricht will host the European Commission president candidates’ debate on 29 April, marking the third edition following 2014 and 2019 debates.

The 2014 debate showcased Jean-Claude Juncker (European People’s Party), Martin Schulz (Party of the European Socialists), Guy Verhofstadt (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party), and Ska Keller (European Green Party). Discussions centered on critical issues such as unemployment, the EU’s future, rising skepticism towards the EU, immigration, European foreign policies, and public political engagement.

In 2019, the debate featured Violeta Tomic (Party of the European Left), Frans Timmermans (Party of European Socialists), Bas Eickhout (European Green Party), Guy Verhofstadt (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party), and Jan Zahradil (Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe), focusing on themes like Digital Europe, Sustainable Europe, and the Future of Europe. More info on the 2019 Maastricht Debate.

This event continues as a pivotal platform for addressing the EU’s pressing challenges and opportunities.