Covering everything from immigration, taxation, climate change, trade and even the future of Europe, six candidates looking to replace Jean-Claude Juncker as the president of the European Commission faced off in Brussels on Wednesday for Europe's "presidential debate."

The debate was the only time candidates from the EU's six largest parliamentary blocs will meet before voters head to the polls between May 23 and 26.

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The candidates

Manfred Weber, a German from the center-right European People's Party (EPP)

Frans Timmermans, a Dutchman from the center-left Party of European Socialists (PES)

Nico Cue, a Spaniard from the European Left

Ska Keller, a German from the European Green Party

Jan Zahradil, a Czech from the euroskeptic Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe (ACRE)

Margrethe Vestager, a Dane from the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE)

Despite the broad spectrum of candidates taking part in the debate, the conservative Weber and democratic-socialist Timmermans are widely viewed as the two with the best chance of taking over from Juncker as they represent the European Parliament's largest blocs.

Candidates for European Commission president Manfred Weber (EPP) The center-right European People's Party (EPP) — the largest faction in the European Parliament — has picked Manfred Weber, its German parliamentary party leader. He has the backing of Chancellor Angela Merkel. Though considered the front-runner, Weber is little known on the international stage, and his language skills are considered poor.

Candidates for European Commission president Frans Timmermans (S&D) Frans Timmermans, the European Commission's first vice president, will lead the campaign for the Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats (S&D). Weber's main rival promises to bring the bloc closer to ordinary voters at a time when Britain's looming exit is one factor behind the nationalist movements across the EU.

Candidates for European Commission president Margrethe Vestager (ALDE) Margrethe Vestager, 51, is one of seven lead candidates for the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats. As the current EU commissioner for competition, the Danish MEP has taken on corporations like Apple, Amazon and Google parent Alphabet. It's also been said that she served as the inspiration for the main character in Borgen , a Danish series where a woman becomes Denmark's first female leader.

Candidates for European Commission president Jan Zahradil (ECR) The third-largest group in the EU Parliament, the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), has just one candidate: Jan Zahradil, chairman of the Czech ECR delegation. Zahradil, 65, is affectionately known as "Forrest Gump" for cycling from Prague to Strasbourg for a session of the European Parliament and for once running 1,300 kilometers (about 800 miles) across the Czech Republic for charity.

Candidates for European Commission president Ska Keller (Greens/EFA) The Greens/EFA is the seventh largest group in European Parliament, so the German is a long shot to become European Commission president. The Greens have proposed a job share, with two candidates serving for two-and-a-half years each. The most favorite to join Keller is Dutch lawmaker Bas Eickhout.

Candidates for European Commission president Violeta Tomic and Nico Cue (GUE/NGL) The EU's left-wing groups will be headed by Spanish trade unionist Nico Cue and Violeta Tomic (at left). Tomic is a deputy in Slovenia's National Assembly, best known as a TV presenter and actress. She entered into politics in 2014 and has been an advocate for LGBT rights and stronger citizens' rights in Europe. Cue grew up in Belgium after his family was forced to flee Franco's Soain. Author: Keith Walker



What the candidates said

On climate change: The Greens and Social Democrats both called for a stronger commitment to tackle carbon emissions. "I'm tired of the excuses," said Timmermans, calling for a tax on aviation and a carbon dioxide tax for all companies.

Keller said she wanted "another Europe" that "protects our planet," adding that Europeans urgently needed to act together for change.

However, the conservative Weber said care should be taken to preserve jobs, and pressed for a greater reliance on new technologies. "I believe in innovation," he said.

On taxation of companies: Timmermans said tech giants like Amazon should be challenged over relatively low tax rates that they pay. "We should ask Alexa: When will Amazon pay taxes?" he quipped.

Weber also called for tougher action against the firms. The fact that the EU had taken action over Apple's low taxation rates in Ireland had made him "proud as a European."

On Europe: Weber urged optimism about Europe in the debate. After the election, Weber said he wanted an EU Commission "of a new beginning, a new era" that would bring Europe closer to its citizens.

Timmermans spoke out about the process of Britain's exit from the EU, claiming that the divisiveness it had created had turned Britain into something resembling "Game of Thrones on steroids," referring to the fantasy series about dynasties hungrily competing for power.

Zahradil called for much less European oversight. Europe, he said, was "no state" and must be "scaled back" and decentralized. He called for "a new balance between the national level and the European level."

On democracy: Timmermans urged people not to waste their vote. "There is one thing I want to ask you: Whatever you choose, never become indifferent. Choose. Let your voice be heard. If you don't vote, somebody else will take your voice," he said.

His message was shared by liberal counterpart Vestager as they ended the debate. "Voting is power. Go vote in this election and inspire people around you to go vote. Otherwise other people will use it," she said.

js, rc/cmk (AFP, dpa)

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