In a debate on the EU’s economic policy during the European elections, the Social Democratic lead candidate and current Labor Commissioner Nicolas Schmit showed restraint. Schmit, whose Social Democrats are far behind the EPP in the polls, remained more a fellow Commissioner than the leader of the opposition in the election campaign debate. He did speak out more aggressively in favor of more solidarity mechanisms between the member states and more EU funds than Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. However, he hardly voiced any criticism of the previous Commission leadership.