European Commission hopefuls Martin Schulz and Jean-Claude Juncker have held a second German-language head-to-head TV debate.
European Parliament President Schulz, representing the centre-left Socialists and Democrats, faced off with Juncker, the lead candidate for the centre-right European People’s Party, in the northern city of Hamburg.
Both men were keen to voice their revulsion for the far-right, former Luxembourg leader Juncker saying that if he were elected Commission President on the basis of fascist or racist votes, he would refuse the post.
For German native Schulz, a high turnout should stop a seat being won by the NPD a German party often accused of holding neo-Nazi views.
“I think it a duty of Democrats in Germany to ensure by their turnout…that propagandists of the ideology of Adolf Hitler can’t pollute the name of Germany in the European Parliament,” he said.
“I would like to think that will happen on Sunday.”
In the final countdown to the vote, many eyes are on the Eurosceptic AfD, Alternative for Germany Party, which wants to wave goodbye to the single currency. It has a real chance of gaining representation in Brussels.
Angela Merkel’s conservatives however are way ahead in voting intentions, reflecting the Chancellor’s enduring popularity.
