The Fonds of Martin Schulz

Biography

Martin Schulz was born on 20 December 1955 in Hehlrath, now Eschweiler, near the Dutch-Belgian border. After his training as a bookseller he founded his own bookshop and specialised in political literature. He joined the SPD at the age of 19 and was elected mayor of his hometown Würselen in 1987. He would be re-elected to this office three times. 

In June 1994, Schulz became a Member of the European Parliament. He became President of the SPD Group, later also as Chairman of the Socialist Group and the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D Group). In 2012, he was elected President of the European Parliament and the first and so far only President of Parliament to be re-elected, as he was in 2014. For his special achievements in strengthening Parliament, he was awarded the Charlemagne Prize for Democratic Legitimation in the EU in 2015. 

After 23 years of work in the European Parliament, Schulz became the Federal Party Chairman of the SPD and stood as chancellor candidate for the Federal Chancellor’s Election 2017. Since 2017, he has been a member of the German Bundestag and is an alternate member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Committee on Affairs of the European Union. In December 2020, the General Assembly elected him as Chairman of the Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung.

Political Positions held 

• 1984-1998: Member of the Council of the City of Würselen
• 1987 to 1998: Mayor of Würselen
• 1994-2017: Member of the European Parliament
• 1996-2009: Chairman of the SPD district Aachen
• 1999: European Election Leader
• 1999-2018: Member of the SPD Party Executive and member of the Party Presidency
• 2000 to 2004: Chair of the SPD Group in the European Parliament
• 2002 to 2004: Deputy Chairman of the Group of the Party of European Socialists in the European Parliament 
• 2004-2012: Chair of the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament
• 2009-2017: Representative of the SPD Executive Committee for the European Union
• 2012-2017: President of the European Parliament
• 2017-2018: Party leader and chancellor candidate of the SPD
• Since 2017: Member of the German Bundestag
• Since 2020: President of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation

What's in the Archives

The fonds of the cabinet of President Martin Schulz covers his two terms from 2012 to 2016. The fonds show the President’s activities, including protocol meetings, visits, openings, press releases and speeches. Other documents contain information on the President’s relations with parliamentary committees and other EU institutions, such as the European Commission and the Council. It is also worth highlighting the existence of a large group of photographs. A significant number of documents are available in electronic format. 

Reflections of Former Presidents of the European Parliament: Martin Schulz 

Statement by the President on his end of term, Strasbourg, 14 December 2016: 

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear colleagues,

This is my last full plenary session I am chairing as President of the European Parliament and it is a moving moment for me.

Five years ago, after being elected as President, I said that it was my goal to make the European Parliament more visible, more audible and more influential. Five years later, I can say that together we have achieved this: today the Parliament is more visible, more audible and more influential than ever.

In the previous years, we have managed to turn the European Parliament into a space of European democracy. It is here in this chamber where the most important debates take place and where decisions are made which make the life of the people better and safer.

 "Democracy and human rights at risk in the EU?" discussion with the European Federation of Journalists and English PEN. Anne Seyfferth (L), EP President Martin Schulz (R) © European Union 2012 – European Parliament

By introducing Spitzenkandidaten for the post of Commission President, we have managed to make the EU more democratic and to strengthen the influence of the citizens. Through this, we have strengthened our transnational democracy.

This very transnational democracy is in great danger today. Everywhere on our continent, dividers and ultranationalists are on the rise again. They incite people to turn against each other and preach the abandonment of the liberal, social and ecological model of society in Europe. Through this they endanger one of the greatest achievements of civilization that our continent has ever seen.

I have fought against this hatred with all my strength and I will continue to do so in the future, even though from a different position! Because it is and will always remain our duty to fight against these destructive forces, irrespective of the post we hold.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The European Parliament, with its 751 members from 28 sovereign states who represent 508 million citizens is a unique institution. Being President of this institution was an extraordinary honour for me and I am very thankful for it.

I have never been a convenient or easy President. Nevertheless, I have always tried to fight for the cause of Europe to the best of my conscience, so that Europeans can overcome the trenches and so that we can all contribute together to a more peaceful world.

EP President Martin Schulz in plenary in December 2016 in Strasbourg. Awarding of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2016. From L-R: Elmar Brook; Nadia Murad Basee; Lamiya Aji Bashar; Martin Schulz, EP President; Linda McAVAN; Elena Valenciano © European Union 2016 – European Parliament

To my successor and to all of us, I wish the best of luck, strength, and confidence to change things for the better. We must never stop striving to make this Europe a better place that is an example to others and that gives hope to those who have lost it. Yesterday’s Sakharov prize ceremony has reminded us of this forcefully.

It is on us to leave to our children and grandchildren a Europe that represents this hope.

I humbly thank you for our common work.