Eurovision Debate

Last updated
Eurovision Debate
Also known asEurovision Presidential Debate
European Commission Presidential Debate
Genre Topical debate
Directed byRob Hopkin (2014)
Starring Candidates for the Presidency of the European Commission
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes3 editions
Production
Production locations Espace Léopold, Brussels, Belgium
Running time~90 minutes
Production company European Broadcasting Union
Original release
Release15 May 2014 (2014-05-15) 
23 May 2024 (2024-05-23)

The Eurovision Debate is a live televised debate between the lead political candidates ("Spitzenkandidaten") running to be the next President of the European Commission. Produced by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and broadcast across Europe via the Eurovision network, the debate is hosted by the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium. The aim of the debate is to help public service media play their role in the democratic process by helping to better inform citizens and encouraging participation in the elections.

Contents

History

The first Eurovision Debate took place on 15 May 2014 and was the first-ever live televised format to bring democratic political debate to a pan-European level. [1] [2] Italian journalist and Director of the Rai News24 Monica Maggioni  [ it ] moderated the debate with RTÉ's Conor McNally as its social media co-presenter. [3] The Eurovision Debate is produced by the EBU under the guidance and the supervision of senior editors from European Public Service Media (the "Editorial Board") and was directed by Rob Hopkin. [4]

The 2019 edition was broadcast live from the European Parliament in Brussels on 15 May 2019 at 21:00 CET, moderated by TV anchors Markus Preiss  [ de ] (ARD/WDR), Émilie Tran Nguyen (France Télévisions) and Annastiina Heikkilä  [ fi ] (Yle) [5] and broadcast by the EBU's public service media members and others throughout Europe. During the 90-minute debate, the following issues were addressed: migration, unemployment, security and climate change, and the role of Europe in the world. In fact, the debate was more about the common minimum wage, the European business tax, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the border control associated with solidarity, and the use of trade to improve working conditions in Europe. [6]

In the lead up to the EU Elections in June 2024, the Eurovision Debate was held at the European Parliament building in Brussels on 23 May 2024. The debate commenced at 15:00 CET, with Martin Řezníček  [ cs ] (Czech TV, Czechia) and Annelies Beck  [ nl ] (VRT, Belgium) moderating the debate between the five candidates. The topics chosen for the debate were Economy and Jobs, Defence and Security, Climate and Environment, Democracy and Leadership, Migration and Borders, and Innovation and Technology. In a first, the Eurovision Debate introduced ‘spotlight’ segments where each candidate faced 1:1 questioning by the moderators. The position of candidates on set and the speaking orders for each topic and spotlight interviews were decided through an allocation draw on 16 May. In the 2024 edition of the debate, the EBU also provided viewers an opportunity to submit questions to the candidates using the hashtag #EurovisionDebate. Questions were also asked by the audience in the plenary chamber and by viewers watching from events organised by the Parliament’s Liaison Offices in EU member states.

Format

The debate is presented by 2 television anchor personalities from public service media organisations who ask the candidates on stage a series of questions on pre-determined themes, although the questions themselves are not known in advance. The debate obeys strict rules of transparency and neutrality and all candidates are allocated the same speaking time. Interpretation is provided in all official languages of the EU, and the International Sign Language.

The order in which the candidates take the floor is decided by a draw which happens shortly before the debate itself. The Eurovision Debate also uses social media to spark debate among citizens throughout Europe around issues that are topical for the European Parliament elections. In 2019, a third anchor person monitored the exchanges online and reported to the journalists on stage so that the social media dimension was taken into account during the discussions. This element was dropped for the 2024 debate given the direct involvement of voters in the audience and from the live events around the EU.

In 2024 a draw was held on May 16th to determine the order of the candidates on stage, the order that the candidates would answer the question in each topic segment and the order in which the candidates would join the Spotlight interview section. [7]

Candidates

2019 Eurovision Debate candidates on stage. Left to right: Zahradil, Cue, Keller, Vestager, Timmermans, Weber. Debate of lead candidates for the European Commission presidency (40894703423).jpg
2019 Eurovision Debate candidates on stage. Left to right: Zahradil, Cué, Keller, Vestager, Timmermans, Weber.

2014

  1. Alexis Tsipras (Greece, European Left)
  2. Ska Keller (Germany, European Green Party)
  3. Martin Schulz (Germany, Party of European Socialists)
  4. Jean-Claude Juncker (Luxembourg, European People's Party)
  5. Guy Verhofstadt (Belgium, Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe)

2019

The speaking order and the placing of the lead candidates were decided at the allocation draw held on 4 April [8]

  1. Nico Cué (Spain, European Left)
  2. Ska Keller (Germany, European Green Party)
  3. Jan Zahradil (Czech Republic, Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe)
  4. Margrethe Vestager (Denmark, Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe)
  5. Manfred Weber (Germany, European People's Party)
  6. Frans Timmermans (Netherlands, Party of European Socialists)

2024

The lead candidates who took part in the 2024 debate (order on stage) [9]

  1. Ursula von der Leyen (Germany, European People's Party)
  2. Nicolas Schmit (Luxembourg, Party of European Socialists)
  3. Terry Reintke (Germany, European Green Party)
  4. Sandro Gozi (Italy, European Democratic Party)
  5. Walter Baier (Austria, Party of the European Left)

The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and Identity and Democracy (ID) did not nominate lead candidates for the Presidency of the European Commission and were therefore not eligible to take part in the 2024 Eurovision Debate. [7]

Broadcast

The debate is broadcast in more than 27 countries on TV and Radio and can be viewed online on the EBU’s website. [10] For the 2019 edition, the following channels and broadcasters aired the debate: [11]

Broadcasters aired the 2019 debate
CountryBroadcaster(s)
Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Azerbaijan İTV
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium VRT
RTBF
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Bulgaria BNT
Flag of Croatia.svg Croatia HRT
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechia ČT
Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark DRTV
Flag of Estonia.svg Estonia ERR
Flag of France.svg France France Info
Arte
Public Sénat
TV5Monde
Flag of Finland.svg Finland Yle
Flag of Georgia.svg Georgia GPB
Flag of Germany.svg Germany Phoenix
Flag of Greece.svg Greece ERT
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland RTÉ News Now
Flag of Italy.svg Italy Rai News 24
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands NPO
Flag of Poland.svg Poland TVP
PR
Flag of Romania.svg Romania TVR
Flag of Spain.svg Spain RTVE Canal 24h
TvG2
Canal Sur 2
Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden SVT
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom BBC Parliament
Flag of the United States.svg United StatesKingston TV

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European Broadcasting Union</span> Alliance of public service media entities

The European Broadcasting Union is an alliance of public service media organisations whose countries are within the European Broadcasting Area or who are members of the Council of Europe. As of 2024, it is made up of 123 member organisations from 56 countries, and 31 associate members from a further 20 countries. It was established in 1950, and has its administrative headquarters in Geneva.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurovision Song Contest 2003</span> International song competition

The Eurovision Song Contest 2003 was the 48th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Riga, Latvia, following the country's victory at the 2002 contest with the song "I Wanna" by Marie N. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Latvijas Televīzija (LTV), the contest was held at the Skonto Hall on 24 May 2003. The contest was presented by last year's winner Marie N and former contestant Renārs Kaupers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurovision Song Contest 1993</span> International song competition

The Eurovision Song Contest 1993 was the 38th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, held on 15 May 1993 at the Green Glens Arena in Millstreet, Ireland. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), and presented by Fionnuala Sweeney, the contest was held in Ireland following the country's victory at the 1992 contest with the song "Why Me?" performed by Linda Martin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurovision Song Contest 1987</span> International song competition

The Eurovision Song Contest 1987 was the 32nd edition of the annual Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Brussels, Belgium, following the country's victory at the 1986 contest with the song "J'aime la vie" by Sandra Kim. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Radio-télévision belge de la Communauté française (RTBF), the contest was held at the Centenary Palace on 9 May 1987 and hosted by French-Belgian singer Viktor Lazlo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European Green Party</span> European political party

The European Green Party (EGP), also referred to as European Greens, is a transnational, European political party representing national parties from across Europe who share Green values.

Eurovision is a pan-European television telecommunications network owned and operated by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). It was founded in 1954 in Geneva, Switzerland, and its first official transmission took place on 6 June 1954. However, a year before the official launch, on 2 June 1953 the coronation of Elizabeth II was one of the first events to be broadcast across Europe.

Latvijas Televīzija is the state-owned public service television broadcaster in Latvia. LTV operates two channels, LTV1 in Latvian and LTV7 in Latvian with selected programming in Russian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurovision Young Musicians 1992</span>

The Eurovision Young Musicians 1992 was the sixth edition of the Eurovision Young Musicians, held at Cirque Royal in Brussels, Belgium on 9 June 1992. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Radio Télévision Belge Francophone (RTBF), musicians from eight countries participated in the televised final. Eighteen countries took part in the competition. All participants performed a classical piece of their choice accompanied by the Belgian National Orchestra, conducted by Ronald Zollman. Hungary and Poland made their début, while Greece and Italy decided not to participate.

Ireland participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with the song "Irelande Douze Pointe" written by Darren Smith, Simon Fine and Dustin the Turkey. The song was performed by children's show puppet Dustin the Turkey. The Irish broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) organised the national final Eurosong 2008 in order to select the Irish entry for the 2008 contest in Belgrade, Serbia. Six songs faced a public televote, ultimately resulting in the selection of "Irelande Douze Pointe" performed by Dustin the Turkey as the Irish Eurovision entry.

Switzerland participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song "The Last of Our Kind" written by Christina Maria Rieder, Mike James, Jeff Dawson and Warne Livesey. The song was performed by Rykka, which is the artistic name of singer Christina Maria Rieder. The Swiss entry for the 2016 contest in Stockholm, Sweden was selected through the national final ESC 2016 – die Entscheidungsshow, organised by the Swiss German speaking broadcaster Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF) in collaboration with the other broadcasters part of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation. Artists that were interested in entering the Swiss national final had the opportunity to apply to one of three open selections with defined submission periods organised by SRF together with the Swiss-Romansh broadcaster Radiotelevisiun Svizra Rumantscha (RTR), the Swiss-French broadcaster Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS) and/or the Swiss-Italian broadcaster Radiotelevisione svizzera (RSI). A total of 19 entries were selected to advance to an "Expert Check" round; ten entries were selected from the SRF/RTR selection, six entries were selected from the RTS selection and three entries were selected from the RSI selection. The "Expert Check" was held on 6 December 2015 and involved four experts evaluating the live performances of the 19 entries and selecting six entries to advance to the televised national final—three artists and songs from the SRF/RTR candidates, two from the RTS candidates and one from the RSI candidates. The six finalists performed during the national final on 13 February 2016 where a combination of jury voting and public voting ultimately selected "The Last of Our Kind" performed by Rykka as the winner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurovision Choir of the Year 2017</span>

Eurovision Choir of the Year 2017 was the first Eurovision Choir competition for choral singers, which was organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Interkultur. It was held on 22 July 2017, at the Arena Riga, in the Latvian capital, Riga. The event was produced by Latvian host broadcaster Latvijas Televīzija (LTV) and the Riga Tourism Development Bureau.

Ireland participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with the song "Together", sung by Ryan O'Shaughnessy and written by O'Shaughnessy, Mark Caplice and Laura Elizabeth Hughes. The Irish song and the singer for the 2018 contest in Lisbon, Portugal were internally selected by the Irish broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). O'Shaughnessy's internal selection was announced on 31 January 2018, while "Together" was presented on 9 March 2018.

<i>Magic Circus Show</i> TV series or program

The Magic Circus Show was an entertainment show organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS), which aired in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Children aged between seven and fourteen representing eight countries within the EBU membership area, performed a variety of circus acts at the Geneva Christmas Circus. The main show was also accompanied by the Magic Circus Show Orchestra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 European Parliament election</span> 10th European Parliamentary election

The 2024 European Parliament election was held in the European Union (EU) between 6 and 9 June 2024. It was the tenth parliamentary election since the first direct elections in 1979, and the first European Parliament election after Brexit. A total of 720 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) were elected to represent more than 450 million people from 27 member states. This election also coincided with a number of other elections in some European Union member states.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurovision Song Contest 2021</span> International song competition

The Eurovision Song Contest 2021 was the 65th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Rotterdam, Netherlands, following the country's win at the 2019 contest with the song "Arcade" by Duncan Laurence. The Netherlands was set to host the 2020 contest, before it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcasters Nederlandse Publieke Omroep (NPO), Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS) and AVROTROS, the contest was held at Rotterdam Ahoy, and consisted of two semi-finals on 18 and 20 May, and a final on 22 May 2021. The three live shows were presented by Dutch television presenters and singers Chantal Janzen, Edsilia Rombley and Jan Smit, and Dutch YouTuber and make-up artist Nikkie de Jager.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurovision Song Contest 2023</span> International song competition

The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 was the 67th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Liverpool, United Kingdom, as Ukraine, the winner of the 2022 contest with the song "Stefania" by Kalush Orchestra, was unable to host the event due to the Russian invasion of the country. It was organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) acting as host broadcaster on behalf of the Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine (UA:PBC). The contest was held at Liverpool Arena, and consisted of two semi-finals on 9 and 11 May and a final on 13 May 2023. The three live shows were presented by British singer Alesha Dixon, British actress Hannah Waddingham, and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina, with Irish television presenter Graham Norton joining for the final.

Latvia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy, with "Eat Your Salad" performed by Citi Zēni. The Latvian broadcaster Latvijas Televīzija (LTV) organised the national final Supernova2022 in order to select the Latvian entry for the contest. 17 songs were selected to compete in the national final, which consisted of two shows: a semi-final and a final. In the semi-final on 5 February 2022, ten entries were selected to advance alongside a wildcard selected by LTV. Eleven songs ultimately qualified to compete in the final on 12 February 2022 where a public televote and a seven-member jury panel selected "Eat Your Salad" performed by Citi Zēni as the winner.

Ireland participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy with the song "That's Rich" performed by Brooke. The Irish broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) organised the national final Eurosong 2022 in order to select the Irish entry for the 2022 contest. Six songs faced the votes of an international jury, a studio jury and a public televote which ultimately resulted in the selection of the Irish Eurovision entry.

Latvia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom, with "Aijā" performed by Sudden Lights. The Latvian broadcaster Latvijas Televīzija (LTV) organised the national final Supernova2023 in order to select the Latvian entry for the contest. 14 songs were selected to compete in the national final, which consisted of two shows: a semi-final and a final. In the semi-final on 4 February 2023, ten entries were selected to advance to compete in the final on 11 February 2023 where a public televote and an eight-member jury panel selected "Aijā" performed by Sudden Lights as the winner.

References

  1. "The Eurovision Debate: one week until first TV face-off with all five European Commission Presidency candidates". www.ebu.ch. European Broadcasting Union. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  2. "EU leadership rivals hold big debate". BBC News. 15 May 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  3. "Conor McNally Co-presents European Commission Presidential Debate". www.rte.ie. RTÉ. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  4. "Eurovision Debate press briefing sets Brussels abuzz". www.ebu.ch. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  5. "Leading European Parliament contenders debate head to head". eng.lsm.lv. LSM. 15 May 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  6. Rios, Beatriz (16 May 2019). "First clashes liven up last EU Spitzenkandidat debate ahead of election" . Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  7. 1 2 Union (EBU), European Broadcasting (2024-05-16). "Eurovision Debate: Further details revealed". www.ebu.ch. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  8. "Speaking order for lead candidates in Eurovision Debate decided". www.ebu.ch. 4 April 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  9. "Inizia il conto alla rovescia per le europee: tutte le tappe verso il voto dell'8 e 9 giugno". Today (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-04-30.
  10. "EBU makes history with the Eurovision Debate". www.ebu.ch. European Broadcasting Union. 16 May 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  11. "Candidates for Presidency of the European Commission take to the stage". www.ebu.ch. European Broadcasting Union. 15 May 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2019.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Eurovision Debate at Wikimedia Commons