Absent far right dominates conversation in last debate before EU elections

Lead candidates from five different parties on Thursday took part in the third and final debate before polls open for the European elections to measure up their programmes on issues ranging from the economy and defence to climate and migration.

Yet, despite no one on stage to represent the hard-right European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and the far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) parties, the 105-minute debate was dominated by talks of their projected growing influence and possible alliances with them.

Catch up on the debate with our blog below: