The ‘German’ Juncker and the ‘Keynesian’ Schulz

The first television debate between the EPP candidate and the PES one saw the latter slightly ahead of the game. The real issue was the way in which the economic crisis has been tackled, with Juncker defending austerity and Schulz attacking it

The two leading candidates for the presidency of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker (EPP) and Martin Schulz (PES) had a first, quiet, television debate, with some sparks. Predictably, Juncker was much more comfortable with the television format than his opponent was; interviewed by France24, the all-news French channel, the two has fought especially on the economic crisis. The Luxembourgish acted as the ‘German’ candidate, defending the austerity measures and the fiscal consolidation policies, while the ‘real’ German candidate was Keynesian, and attacked the European response to the crisis. “We, as Parliament, had asked with a large majority a combination between fiscal consolidation and investment for growth,” said Schulz. “If some countries hadn’t acted with such nonchalance, those measures wouldn’t have been necessary,” and Europe “would have been less severe,” replied Juncker.

The same approach was reserved for the Hollande’s project for jobs and for the French request of more elasticity on the 3 percent threshold of the debt/GDP ratio. For the EPP candidate, “growth policies cannot be based on increasingly higher debt and deficit,” thus France “shall respect the rules” and give Brussels “clearer answers” on its plans. The PES candidate instead recognized that Hollande implemented “a brave and ambitious plan of reforms,” hence “if he needs the support of the Commission he must have it,” he added.

The two agreed on the future actions to be taken to relaunch growth – it is necessary to ease the access to credit for SMEs and to couple fiscal adjustment with policies for boosting job creation. In addition, they highlighted the need for common rules on extra-communitarian immigration; yet, when it came to internal EU migration, differences came to light, especially when talking about Cameron’s concerns for a possible ‘invasion’ of eastern European citizens. “These invasions took place in the past, and the problem is that some entrepreneurs with no qualms are underpaying immigrant workers,” said Schulz. “We need to implement common measures to fight against those changing nation just to get all the social advantages they can,” replied Juncker, supporting Cameron’s view.

The first quarrel began when the Socialist accused his challenger to have a program similar to his own one, hence far from the EPP ideals, aiming a jab at him: “You were there, at the Council, when you decided for austerity measures as the answer to the crisis, while at the Parliament we were asking for mixed interventions. Yet now you are supporting the policies you had once refused.” “I don’t remember things were like this,” tried to answer Juncker. “Electors will remember for sure,” replied a smiling Schulz. “At the time, we also set up effective tools against unemployment,” said the EPP candidate. “You’re right. In fact it has reached the record amount of 20 million persons unemployed,” replied the Socialist.

And the challenge continued about the Eurobond, which “are unrealizable due to the opposition of Germany and other countries, and in any case they cannot be a solution on their own,” said Juncker, with an involuntary assist to Schulz. “You have always supported them, now I see you are on the other side of the barricade,” said the Socialist with a clear reference to Angela Merkel’s fierce opposition to Eurobond.

Alfonso Bianchi

Watch the debate