Martin Schulz
Martin Schulz
Martin Schulzis a German Social Democratic politician serving as the President of the European Parliament since 2012. Previously he was leader of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament. On 1 July 2014 Martin Schulz was re-elected as European Parliament President...
believe ideas would-be
It's not attractive at the moment to vouch for the European idea. I still do it, because I believe nothing would be better for our continent.
effectiveness people unions
Before we talk about further accessions, we have to consolidate the European Union internally. People are increasingly losing faith in the EU's effectiveness.
long interpretation patronizing
But if you constantly insist only on your own interpretation, it isn't long before it seems patronizing.
war hate unique
The EU is an unique project that replaced war with peace, hate with solidarity. Overwhelming emotion for awarding of Nobel prize to EU
europe giving priorities
We agree: Brussels can't regulate everything. I'm driven by something else: There are forces in Europe that want to generally give national policy priority over a common European approach. We have to prevent this.
country sorry ideas
The quota idea is a good one, but there are two problems with it. The first is clear: A quota system would also require all European countries to be prepared to take refugees. And secondly: What happens when the quota has been filled? Would we then simply tell those who are threatened, sorry but we have to send you back?
government dramatic-situations community
We have committed ourselves to pursue joint policies, but then national governments say, "We aren't bound by that." That is a dramatic situation, because solidarity is a basic principle that cannot be had on an à la carte basis. If we have rules that nobody adheres to, then the community will break apart.
opportunity political complicated
Referendums have always posed a threat when it comes to EU policy, because EU policy is complicated. They're an opportunity for those from all political camps who like to oversimplify things.
achieve compromise hammered hope majority pleased
We're pleased with the compromise we hammered out with the EPP and we hope it will achieve a majority in the plenary.
opportunity missed-opportunity whining
There's no point whining about missed opportunities.
winning people problem
The problem with us EU politicians is that we approach everything with cool rationality, and then wonder why we don't win people over emotionally.
emotion policy rationality
European policy is always an interplay of rationality and emotion.