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, it 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.
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 European Union (EU), and the International Sign Language.
Debates[]
| Year | Date | Location | Moderator(s) | Participants | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | ||||
| 2014 | 15 May | Espace Léopold, Brussels, Belgium |  Monica Maggioni (Rai News24) Conor McNally (RTÉ)
|
 Alexis Tsipras (Party of the European Left)
|
 Ska Keller (European Green Party)
|
Martin Schulz (Party of European Socialists)
|
 Jean-Claude Juncker (European People's Party)
|
 Guy Verhofstadt (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe)
|
N/A |
| 2019 | Markus Preiss (ARD/WDR) Émilie Tran Nguyen (France Télévisions) Annastiina Heikkilä (Yle)
|
 Nico Cué (Party of the European Left)
|
Ska Keller (European Green Party)
|
 Jan Zahradil (Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe)
|
 Margrethe Vestager (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe)
|
Manfred Weber (European People's Party)
|
 Frans Timmermans (Party of European Socialists)
| ||
| 2024 | 23 May | Martin Řezníček (ČT) Annelies Beck (VRT)
|
Ursula von der Leyen (European People's Party)
|
Nicolas Schmit (Party of European Socialists)
|
Terry Reintke (European Green Party)
|
Sandro Gozi (European Democratic Party)
|
 Walter Baier (Party of the European Left)
|
N/A | |
International broadcast[]
| Country | Broadcaster(s) | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | ORF III | 2014 |
| Azerbaijan | İctimai Television | 2019 |
| Belgium | La Trois, Canvas | 2014–2019 |
| Bulgaria | BNT | 2014–2019 |
| Kanal 6 | 2014 | |
| Canada | CPAC | 2014 |
| Croatia | HRT 1, HRT 4 | 2014–2019 |
| Kanal RI, RI TV, TV Nova Pula, TV Student | 2014 | |
| Cyprus | RIK 2 | 2014–2019 |
| Czech Republic | Český rozhlas | 2014 |
| ČT | 2019 | |
| Denmark | DR TV | 2014–2019 |
| Estonia | ERR | 2014–2019 |
| Finland | Yle | 2014–2019 |
| France | La Chaîne parlementaire/Public Sénat, Arte, TV5Monde | 2014–2019 |
| Radio Nantes | 2014 | |
| France Info | 2019 | |
| Georgia | GPB | 2019 |
| Germany | Phoenix | 2014–2019 |
| Deutsche Welle | 2014 | |
| Greece | Vouli Tileorasi, Dimosia Tileorasi | 2014 |
| ERT | 2019 | |
| Hungary | ATV, Kossuth Rádió | 2014 |
| Ireland | RTÉ News Now | 2014–2019 |
| Italy | Rai News24 | 2014–2019 |
| Latvia | LNT | 2014 |
| Lithuania | LRT Kultūra | 2014 |
| Luxembourg | Chamber TV | 2014 |
| Malta | TVM | 2014 |
| Netherlands | NPO | 2014–2019 |
| Poland | TVP Info, Radio Olsztyn | 2014–2019 |
| Portugal | SIC Notícias, RTP Informação, Económico TV | 2014 |
| Romania | TVR1 | 2014–2019 |
| DG24, Antena 3, The Money Channel, Neptun TV Constanța | 2014 | |
| Slovakia | RTVS, TA3 | 2014 |
| Slovenia | RTVSLO | 2014 |
| Spain | Canal 24 Horas, Canal Sur 2 | 2014–2019 |
| 3/24, RTVCYL, Zaragoza TV, La Xarxa, Barcelona TV, 8TV, Radio 5, Catalunya Ràdio | 2014 | |
| tvG2 | 2019 | |
| Sweden | SVT2 | 2014–2019 |
| TV Skellefteå | 2014 | |
| Ukraine | NTU | 2014 |
| United Kingdom | BBC Parliament | 2014–2019 |
| Caledonia Media | 2014 | |
| United States | Kingston TV | 2019 |