Commission Debate, June 2023

[Spain]

EUROPEAN COMMISSION ELECTIONS
CANDIDATE DEBATE

Welcome to the European Commission candidates' debate for the elections of June 2023!

While this debate isn’t mandatory, it is strongly recommended that all candidates participate.

There are a total of five candidates, three for the Office of the Premier Commissioner, one for the Office of the Internal Affairs Commissioner and one for the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commissioner. For clarity they are listed below.

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For the Office of Premier Commissioner

• Sofie ČIKAROVÁ (Czech Slavia)
• Akem LINEK (Istkalen)
• Ricarda SCHMITZ (United Duchies)

For the Office of Internal Affairs Commissioner

• Wirt HARLAND (Elthize)

For the Office of Foreign Affairs Commissioner

• Tomáš KREJČÍ (Inquista)

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Good afternoon Europe, and welcome to the Spanish side of the Strait of Gibraltar, nowadays shared with Hellas! With summer already here, where else to be rather than here? We have everything that a good holiday has: awesome weather, good temperatures and the Mediterranean Sea. I am Carlos Franganillo and I will be moderating today's debate. Before we begin, I want to make clear that as the moderator of this debate, I will try my best to get you, the European people, to know the exact proposals of every candidate. And remember, through the RTVE web, you can get involved in the debate by asking questions to the candidates.

That said, let's get to know how this debate will work:

• Candidates will present with a two minute opening speech ((OOC: 300 Words)) to provide us with a brief introduction and summary of goals for their term in office. (((OOC:You have 24 Hours to submit your opening statements)
• Candidates will then be asked questions submitted by the European public. All candidates will be given a chance to speak for two minutes ((OOC 300 words)), and there will be a rebuttal period where candidates may respond to the answers of other candidates. Rebuttals will be limited to 90 seconds ((OOC: 200 words: as well as 24 Hours to submit your answers and rebuttals.)).
• Candidates shall be given a form containing all questions not provided during the debate due to time limits to provide answers for to the public at the end of tonight's event.
• Candidates will be allowed a two minute closing statement ((OOC: 300 Words)).

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((OOC: If you would like to submit questions, please DM me here, on Discord. Do not post them here. You may find me as jesus_a. on Discord, or Spain in the NS EU Regional Chat))

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And so, candidates, we will now hear your opening statements. (((OOC: Once again you have 24 Hours to submit your question. So until 1100 GMT June 23rd)))

[BrumBrum]

Ricarda Schmitz:

Ricarda Schmitz: Hello Europe it has been my pleasure to tour Europe meeting the people , the parliaments and the governments during this campaign. My message is simple we need a Europe that works for you , works for ordinary people. We need a Europe that communicates and gets stuff done, 4 commissions including Bidens and nothing has got done. We have an agricultural fund here and there or 47.1 Billion Euros in EDA funding but none of it spent due to excessive centralisation and commissions just simply missing in action.We can’t go on like this.

In what private or charity setting would a 47.1 Billion Euros organisation not spending a 0 cents on its core programme be accepted? In which country would your politicians not communicating with you within 7 days be accepted? We don’t accept it, why?

Because public servants are supposed to serve the people, not just have a fancy title for their C.V on leaving office for little to no effort on their part. You can vote against that and for me the candidate who promises activity and solutions this election. I will pursue a simple agenda with your vote actual penalties for states breaking EU law with a prosecutorial agency, automatic recall on inactive commissioners who fail to meet deadlines or respond to messages in a timely manner and finally reform of the EDA of some sort to give it the administrative capability to handle 47.1 Billion Euros of funds and ensure smaller projects do not have to go through a highly centralised commissioner and European council vote.Simply put I will make EU work for you! No longer would you have an inactive lazy commission and a system that doesn’t listen or respond to you but an active, agile commission achieving every day!

[Istkalen]

My friends:

I have made it my mission to return happiness to you all - and that is what I will do.

Everyone in Europe is unhappy because the Commissions they have elected before have mostly spent their time doing useless things. They go and draw up reforms which are then unanimously rejected by the European Council, or announce things and regulations nobody wants or ever asked for.

I am going to fix this. I am the only candidate here who will use the Commission to do useful things. Instead of forcing nonsense regulations down people's throats or implementing reforms no one wants, I will do what is actually popular and can be done. Instead of telling people that they have to do this or that, or trying to perform some strange experimental with representation or power, I will do productive things. I will actively mediate over conflicts, and expand programs that have brought the Union together, such the European Agricultural Fund, while introducing new ones that will deepen international ties and therefore further prevent conflict.

What do the other candidates promise? Ms. Schmitz, when she started her campaign, went online and asked ChatGPT for problems no one has ever heard of, and then the strangest possible solutions to them, and now she is here repeating what it told her. So far Ms. Cikarova has promised nothing. If it is anything like her previous terms though, what she will deliver is mostly endless, useless, boring lecturing about good and bad and right and wrong, which no one wants and that the Commission is not for.

No one wants this moralizing. No one wants this nonsense. What people want is productive work, and that is what I and I alone will give them.

Vote Akem Linek for Premier Commissioner.

[Inquista]

Hello!

My name is Tomáš Krejčí, but you can just call me Tomo, and I'm running to be your Foreign Affairs Commissioner.

I stand before you as an ordinary European person. I am a proud blue collar worker, currently working as mining machine operator in Czech Slavia. As a member of the working class people that form the backbone of our great Union, I believe that our foreign policy should reflect the values and interests of all our citizens, not just the elite or the privileged few.

I understand that foreign affairs might not seem like my area of expertise, but I firmly believe that our diplomacy should reflect of all sectors of society. I bring with me a deep understanding of the challenges faced by ordinary people and a commitment to ensuring that our foreign policy reflects the interests and values of all European citizens. That's why I am also running as a representative of Everyone's Front.

My experience as a miner has taught me the importance of resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving in the face of challenging circumstances. These qualities are important in the area of international diplomacy, where complex issues and unexpected obstacles often arise. I have learned to deal with difficult situations, work closely with a team during very stressful emergencies, and find common ground even in the most challenging environments.

I humbly ask for your support as we strive to make a difference for all Europeans tomorrow, together.

[Elthize]

Dear Europeans,

Since January this year, I have tried my best to commit myself completely to doing my job, fulfilling my responsibilities and making the best of this position which has been given to me.

Of course, I have not managed to be as efficient or productive as I would like to be. Throughout my career, I have faced numerous issues, including personal obstacles and encountering resistance to my proposals from the European Council. Regardless, I have pushed through. I would like to quote a post I've made, in which I announced my campaign. Here, I have listed out the significant things I have done in my first term:

• I brokered a deal between the Kingdom of Reitzmag, the United Duchies and the People's Democratic Republic of Svarna Surya after a conflict which could devastate the EU.
• Alongside my premier colleague Juncker, I condemned the riots against the EU-recognized Gadalland and Aspern, led by Guthrun Wond.
• I put up my constitutional reform, which promised that unopposed candidates in the commission elections would be subject to a referendum before taking office. Unfortunately, this was not approved by the European Council.
• I also initiated the Fourth European Leaders Summit last month, once again with Premier Juncker.

When I was elected in January, I had a rival, Tarek Al-Wazir, who I won against, with every member state voting for me, even his home country, the United Duchies.

This election, I have no rival. While some may perceive this as a guaranteed win, it is an outcome that I detest and actively attempted to prevent. I believe in the importance of fair competition and offering the people a genuine choice. I am fully aware of the responsibility that comes with this situation and will continue to work tirelessly to earn the trust and support of the European citizens.

Thank you & lots of love,
Wirt Harland

[Czech Slavia]

Thank you for the opportunity to speak. Dear sisters and brothers after three terms, I once again stand before you to seek your trust. As you know from the past your trust in me has not been misplaced. I said I would create the European Development Agency, and I did so, the Agency that remains a topic to this day and which we need to protect. I said I would pass a legislation safeguarding workers rights and indeed I have passed an Establishment and Termination of Employment Relationship Standardization Act, despite strong resistance by the Roscoe's lobby, I have also successfully passed a budget proposal, and took part in easing off tensions in Europe. And you can expect that, if elected, I will once again make sure that my proposals pass through the Council, to the dismay of the oligarchs and their interests.

Dear sisters and brothers, the times have changed and they call for answering new challenges. I pledge to introduce common rules for adequate minimum wages across the Union, to protect our forests, to fight against surveillance police states and unrestricted use of biometric identification systems and to fight for the rights of women. I will also fight to make public transport, healthcare and education accessible to all, across the Union and more. Moreover you can expect me to always be active on deciding with EDA funds and I will make sure the other Commissioners are active on this front as well.

What I will not do, is punish Member States that make out the Union and I will not propose lunching the Union into anarchy with automatic recalls of Commissioners, as one of the other colleagues proposes. I will also not speak in vague language of my other opponent. Thank you, I am looking forward to the debate today and I wish luck to the other candidates.

[Spain]

Thank you, candidates, for your responses.

We will be starting the debate with a general question for the Premier and Internal Affairs candidates, sent by Alejandro Barceló, from Catalonia, Spain: "Sometimes, people argue there is no European vision in the Commission. What is your vision of the European Union?"

In addition, Elsa Giménez from La Rioja, Spain, has sent a question for Mr. Krejčí: "How do you intend to improve the foreign relations of the European Union? Is there anything from previous Commissioners you wish to change or revert?"

All candidates will be given a chance to speak for two minutes ((OOC 300 words)), and there will be a rebuttal period where candidates may respond to the answers of other candidates. Rebuttals will be limited to 90 seconds. ((OOC: 200 words: as well as 24 Hours to submit your answers and rebuttals. You have until 2100 GMT June 25th)) However, Mr. Harland and Ms. Čikarová, as you have exceded your time, you will have a penalty, dropping your intervention to one minute and fifty-seven seconds ((OOC: 288 words))

[Istkalen]

I want to have a Union that does things for people, instead of one that is like some monstrous thing which eats their money and gives them only dung in return. Therefore, instead of one which enforces regulations no one sees any benefit from, or one occupied with making changes to itself no one wants or can understand, I will focus mostly on making sure it funds and does things people want.

I will, first and foremost, cut down on the useless things. For example, I will work with the IAC to make sure that the enforcement of European laws is more flexible for the member-states, so that they have more room to adjust them to domestic situations instead of having to waste time adjusting the domestic situations for the laws. I will also pledge to not propose any constitutional reforms unless if a supermajority of member-states wants me to, because everyone is tired of their money being spent on amendments and committees to nowhere.

However, I will also try to expand the Union, but in ways that are good instead of being nonsense or bad. For example, I will make a border protection fund, like the one Ms. Čikarová put forwards, but accessible to all member-states instead of being a vehicle to give funds to just some, so that all governments can keep bad people out. I will also create a climate grant scheme, where countries will get money in exchange for reducing their carbon emissions, which will help keep the environment clean and slow down global warming.

What is my vision? In short, it is of a Union which returns happiness to the people by doing good things and not bad things.

[BrumBrum]

Ricarda Schmitz: Thank you for your wonderful question Elsa. It is true there is often a lack of vision in the EU and I aim to fix that. My vision is for an active , nimble EU close to the member states and with less centralised eurocracy like we have now. An EU that has big budgets and ambition aligned with the real peoples interests people like you not politicians.Simply my vision is an EU that works for the working and middle class delivering a green sustainable transition through the EDA , that has strong consumer protection laws in Europe and strong standardised minimum safety laws , my vision is for a Europe that has the European citizen at the heart of its laws not some corporate elite or corporations rights lobby so you are protected from monopolies and exploitative corporate power , where you are on an even keel with them in law.That is my vision an EU with a big budget and big ideals delivering for the real heroes of Europe the Working and middle class who make all the wealth on this continent and with commissioners active enough to serve you and deliver on the EU’s potential.

I would like to question Akem on why he thinks politicians missing deadlines, not responding to messages and EDA funds being less than half spent 6 months into 2023 when a budget passed in January is acceptable and made up issues? Would he accept this state of affairs in his own country's government and if not why should it be acceptable in the EU commissions case?I’d also ask Cikarova what is her solution for removing inactive commissioners or does she just accept do nothing commissioners and how does she envisage the EU continuing her vision if a do nothing commissioner is elected?

[Istkalen]

When Ms. Schmitz talks about inactivity or EDA funds, she is really talking about the fact that Commission refused to deal with her country wanting billions and billions to build cycling paths to nowhere. Unless if she has imagined something, this is so far the only legal obligation any Commission in the past year has failed to deliver on or answer. They have done everything else they have had to.

If there were real inactivity, people would be unhappy, so I would work against that. I would encourage member-states to sue the Commission if it doesn't deliver on its legal obligations to them, so that they can punish it. I would also make it become more acceptable to impeach Commissioners for doing nothing over most of their term. I would even do this now. But there is no inactivity at present.

But I will answer Ms. Schmitz's questions. I don't like burning money, which is what you really mean when you talk about all these things. And no one in my country, except for bad people and criminals, is for it.

[Inquista]

I intend to improve our Union's foreign relations by strengthening our relationships with our allies. I think the best way to do this is by encouraging more cross-regional events and festivities. I think the last EuroVoice competition - where Aneta Langerová was robbed - was a good example of this, with Portugal and the Conch Kingdom being invited to the competition. I think we need to see even more of that, and I will coordinate with the right people to make sure that happens. I will also visit different regions and make sure that our Union's presence is known.

[BrumBrum]

**Ricarda Schmitz:**That is not the only inactivity. There is also the lack of response to nations or citizens who contacted the commission in an acceptable time frame. How can people feel connected to the EU if it takes often well over a week for the EU commission to get back to them if at all? You can't say there isn't an issue with inactive comissions, the fact you do shows you are likely to be just as inactive and distant from member states. I hope its not the case as that agenda is a good agenda to have but to deliver it you need constant contact and communication.

[Elthize]

My vision for the European Union is that of collaboration and action. I promised these things in my previous campaign for my first term, and I would like to think I delivered on these promises. It's not perfect, as there were roadblocks on the way and a lot of roadblocks, but I have succeeded in collaborating with member states, which resulted in me delivering my plans and promises for my potential second term.

The summit I have done, as I mentioned earlier, was a great way to know how I should shape my vision for the European Union. Member states that participated in the summit expressed general concern over how the EU should handle climate change and the prevention of inaction on this issue. So I promise, in my second term, that I will submit a comprehensive environmental protection plan to the European Council to address climate change, as well as further invest in clean energy resources.

My commitment to collaboration and action remains. I believe in the power of unity and working together to address the challenges facing the European Union. Throughout my first term, I have strived to deliver on my promises and make a positive impact. In a potential second term, I am determined to continue on this path.

[Istkalen]

Ms. Schmitz, I was a minister in the Istkalenic government. The Minister of Social Affairs. People sent me many letters complaining about their situations. I could not answer them all, and when I was sick I could not answer any. The same is true for the Commissioners. One person can't go and respond to all the letters they get in such-and-such time constantly. Maybe they have some emergency, or are sick, or get tired. Maybe they get too many letters. But this doesn't matter, because the Commission has done everything it has to do, except for looking at the four billion euro cycle path to nowhere. So you are making up issues, and on top of that being unreasonable about those issues. I think that this is very bad. It will make people unhappy.

[Czech Slavia]

My vision is simple really, a strong Union that empowers the working people, the vulnerable people and the Member States, being a ground for international co-operation, diplomacy and trade, rather than conflict. A Union for 21st century, not allowing modern forms of slavery and other human rights abuses. And my past show that I achieve what I set up to do despite the opposition of the oligarchs. I have already stated with what proposals I plan to achieve this goal, so I would like to point out something different. As you can see from the honest response of Mr. Linek, even other candidates try to emulate my proposals in an attempt to reach the voters and win their support. Except they completely twist them, Mr Linek, there are no Union border that need protecting now. Your proposal would build walls inside the Union, tearing her apart, rather than protecting her.

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Ms Schmitz the Commissioner have a mandate from the Member States and their citizens and you cannot arbitrarily take this mandate away. If I am elected I will make sure other Commissioner are also as active as possible. But I agree with Mr Linek that much of your criticism stems from the activity of current Commissioners in EDA. But rest assured, that if elected, I will do what is necessary. There is in particular one State filling multiple request which the Commission has denied. I would sit down with Mr Juncker and let him brief me on the situation, why the Commission has rejected those requests. And if there is a well-founded belief of this Member State submitting requests with high risk of abuse of funds, I will request to black list this State, whose Councillor also try at every step to frustrate the Agency itself. Such is my promise.

[BrumBrum]

Ricarda Schmitz:To suggest Duchies is abusing the funds is just a falsehood frankly. We have a strong record of good spending on efficient projects saving taxpayers money in our country.There is no defined boundaries or aims of the EDA and that is the issue nation-states need to know this before bids go in rather than going in blind. To blacklist a country for not meeting conditions that are not defined would be a bad way about getting support from your biggest funder of the EU.Yes we have put multiple bids in but each have been for green transition and development projects something that supposedly is what the EDA is for.Maybe whats needed is clarity and examples of types of projects the EDA would be interested in and what the goals are rather than leaving states in a state of trying to guess if a project meets criteria , any effective organisation have clear detailed criteria of what can and cannot be funded.

[Spain]

Thank you very much, candidates, for your responses. There is a new round of questions for you:

First we have a question for Premier candidates and the Internal Affairs only candidate from Belinda Mullins, who wrote from the Duchian city of Brummagem: Countries like mine the United Duchies feel distant from Europolis, how can you ensure local and national needs are heard and that decisions are made with national expertise and cultural knowledge in mind at an EU level?

Mr. Krejčí has also been asked by Billie Toll, a Elthic citizen who lives in Montgomery: will you continue the European Union updates current Foreign Affairs Commissioner Antoni Reynels did?

All candidates will be given a chance to speak for two minutes ((OOC 300 words)), and there will be a rebuttal period where candidates may respond to the answers of other candidates. Rebuttals will be limited to 90 seconds. ((OOC: 200 words: as well as 24 Hours to submit your answers and rebuttals. You have until 2130 GMT June 28th))

[BrumBrum]

Ricarda Schmitz:Thank you Belinda. It is true the EU has felt distant from the needs of many countries like our homeland, this has been seens as nations like ours not loving the EU when that couldn’t be further from the truth, we just want decisions to be relevant to all nations. I would seek to return much decision making to national levels or panels with people from all nations on them. This is the way for effective governance particuarly for smaller scale, truth is the EU is great at setting a central vision and overarching direction but if you live in Spain or Europolis you won't understand the Duchies so much , if you live in the Duchies and Europolis you won't understand Spain so much. The only way to really understand how a nation ticks and lives and therefore make good decisions for the local context is to bring in expertise and guidance from the nation or have offices of the EU in those nations working within EU guidelines.Projects that work in one country may not work in another due to culture, type of development of many other metrics.This is why a glocal model is the best model for many projects , you avoid waste by approving a project which may not work due to local conditions and you avoid not approving projects which may work in a local context but you don’t approved due to your bias of living in your country.The truth is while power and decision making is so centralised it will only represent the interests of the 3 nations that the commissioners are from yes they can try to overcome their biases but they will remain. As a person from their country they can only truly understand the experience of being from their country.

[Istkalen]

I am going to make sure that local cultures are respected firstly by making the enforcement of laws less strict. As I have said, I am going to work with the IAC to make it so that the EU will respect member-states adjusting the laws to their conditions when it enforces them. I am also going to talk with the Council before I make my proposals, so that people's concerns are understood. And I will give speeches through the European Commission App explaining how what I will do returns happiness to the people, so that they understand that I am doing things and that they are benefiting from it.

[BrumBrum]

Ricarda Schmitz: All those are nice sentiments but we've heard it all before what concrete ideas are you willing to nail your colours to the mast to tonight. What specific ideas are you willing to commit to , its very nice having platitudes about vague ideas but Europe has shown over several candidates it does not want that it wants concrete proposals and ideas.