Photo-illustration by Ivo Oliveira/Blanca Renedo (Source images by EPA/Getty) European Parliament presidential debate: as it happened POLITICO’s debate between the MEPs seeking to replace Martin Schulz.

Live coverage of POLITICO's European Parliament presidential debate between the seven candidates running to take over from outgoing President Martin Schulz on January 17.

Schulz’s departure is a game changer for EU institutional dynamics. The fight for the Parliament’s highest-profile job is now on, and each political group has designated their candidates. In the fray: four Italians, two Belgians and one Brit.

With Europe mired in Brexit, a migration crisis, austerity measures and upcoming national elections, MEPs must decide which candidate has the vision, political will and agility to overcome rising Euroskepticism, to guide Europe through these challenges.

The MEPs debating:

Eleonora Forenza, European United Left-Nordic Green Left Group

Jean Lambert, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance

Gianni Pittella, Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats Group

Laurenţiu Rebega, Europe of Nations and Freedom Group

Helga Stevens, European Conservatives and Reformists Group

Antonio Tajani, European People’s Party Group

Guy Verhofstadt, Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe