16/04/2024 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 12 April, the ‘European University Institute’ in Florence decided to cancel the debate between candidates heading the lists of European parties, originally scheduled for Friday 24 May. Among the reasons given are that it was too close to the Eurovision Debate that is to take place the day before and air on several television channels, and the lack of response from the European People’s Party (EPP) regarding the participation of its lead candidate, the German Ursula von der Leyen. The first debate between Spitzenkandidaten will take place in Maastricht on Monday 29 April and will be co-hosted by Maastricht University and Politico. However, Ms von der Leyen’s participation in Maastricht has not been confirmed, an uncertainty recently criticised by the ‘European Green Party’ (see EUROPE 13390/24). (MB)