[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE]

EBU and the European Parliament excludes ECPM from main Spitzenkandidat debate in Brussels

Brussels, 17 May 2024- The European Christian Political Movement (ECPM), one of the ten official parties with five seats in the European Parliament, is excluded from taking part in the main Spitzenkandidat debate at the European Parliament in Brussels on 23 May. The debate is organized by the European Broadcasting Union in collaboration with the European Parliament Directorate-General for Communication.

The EBU has refused to allow ECPM to take part in the debate on eligibility grounds, claiming that lead candidates must be nominated by the political groups in the European Parliament, which is not true. The Spitzenkandidat, or lead candidate, is always nominated by a European political party and leads the election campaign with that party, therefore represents the party in the official debates as well. Valeriu Ghilețchi has already represented ECPM as Spitzenkandidat in a previous debate organized by the University of Maastricht.

Furthermore, in a recent resolution in December 2023, the members of the European Parliament have demanded that the process of electing the EU Commission President is more clearly and credibly linked to the choice or voters. By excluding ECPM from the debate, the EBU is undermining the democratic process and silencing our voice in the European political landscape, favoring the voice and interests of few over the rights of many. In protesting this unjust and arbitrary decision, President of ECPM Valeriu Ghilețchi sent a letter of protest to the EBU and the European Parliament DG for Communication and are asking them to reconsider this undemocratic decision and to include all Spitzenkandidaten of the European parties in the European Parliament in this debate.