Former Luxemburg PM Jean-Claude Juncker and European Parliament leader Martin Schulz, the two main candidates to replace Jose Manuel Barroso as European Commission chief, faced off in their first debate Thursday on FRANCE 24.

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Juncker, 59, is the candidate from the centre-right European People's Party, while Schulz, 58, is backed by the centre-left Socialists and Democrats group, the second-largest bloc in the European Parliament.

The new head of the Commission will be appointed by the leaders of the EU's 28 members states, whose choice must then be approved by a majority in the European Parliament.

Click on the player above to watch the debate.

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