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Walter Baier quotes “Grândola, Vila Morena” in the main debate between the ‘spitzenkandidaten’

by AI | 24.May 2024 | Europe in brief AI

In the final debate between five of the candidates for president of the next European Commission, the representative of the European Left criticized the lack of sanctions against Israel.

Brussels (Belgium), 23/05/2024.- (L-R) Candidates Sandro Gozi, Terry Reintke, Walter Baier, Ursula von der Leyen and Nicolas Schmit pose ahead of the Eurovision Debate 2024 for the presidency of the European Commission, taking place in European Parliament hemicycle in Brussels, Belgium, 23 May 2024. The lead candidates for the presidency of the European Commission: Ursula von der Leyen candidate for European People's Party, Walter Baier for European Left party, Nicolas Schmit of Party of European Socialists, Sandro Gozi of European Democratic Party/Renew and Terry Reintke of European Greens take part in a final debate in Brussels ahead of the European election scheduled for 6-9 of June 2024. (Belgium, Brussels) EFE/EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET

The Left’s main candidate for the presidency of the European Commission, Walter Baier, chose an excerpt from the song “Grândola, Vila Morena” as his favorite quote, justifying it with the “turning point” of the April 25 revolution for European history.

“On every corner, a friend. On every face, equality.” was the preferred quote chosen by Walter Baier, in a short biographical presentation during the Eurovision debate, which pitted five ‘spitzenkandidaten’ (main candidates) in the European Parliament.

Asked about this choice at the end of the debate, the Austrian replied: “That is a very personal question.”

“First of all, because I like the Portuguese people very much,” he said, recalling that he was recently in Portugal for the 50th anniversary of April 25.

“On every corner, a friend. On every face, equality.”

Excerpt from “Grândola, Vila Morena,” song by José Afonso

“It was not a demonstration. The people were in the streets. It was wonderful,” he said.

Baier said that the Portuguese revolution was “a turning point in European history.”

“It was the end of a dictatorship, of colonial power, it introduced a series of progressive democratic revolutions,” he argued.

Walter Baier also referred to the Left Bloc – which, along with the PCP, is part of the European Left – saying he feels “very close” to this Portuguese party.

“I also wanted to give a sign of this closeness,” he commented.

The main candidates (‘spitzenkandidaten’) for the presidency of the European Commission participate on Thursday in a debate in Brussels, marked by the absence of far-right representatives, in the third and final face-to-face before the European elections, scheduled between June 6 and 9 and in which almost 400 million citizens from the 27 member states of the European Union will vote.