About Zahradil

Name: Jan Zahradil

European political party: Reformists Alliance of Europe (ACRE)

Nationality: Czech

Age: 56

Career: 2004 - MEP

2009 - President of ACRE

1998 - 2004 - member Czech Chamber of Deputies

1995 - 1997 - advisor to the PM

1988 to 1992 - researcher at the Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague

1987 - engineering degree, Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague

About the debate

Political parties put forward candidates for the post of president of the European Commission ahead of the European elections. The lead candidate nominated by the Council, and able to command a majority in Parliament, will be elected President of the European Commission by a vote of Parliament.

The lead candidates are sometimes referred to by the German term spitzenkandidaten. This system was first used in 2014 to select current Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

The Presidential Debate - EU Elections 2019 on 15 May at 21.00 CET is an opportunity to discover where the lead candidates stand on a range of issues.

Some political parties have nominated more than one lead candidate, but have nominated a single candidate to represent them in the debate.

Three TV moderators will host the debate. Lots were drawn to determine the speaking order.

ACRE is aligned with the ECR group in the European Parliament.