EU Parliament president Schulz to go into German politics
BRUSSELS — The president of the European Parliament announced Thursday that he will leave his post and go into German politics, where he could become the main opponent to Chancellor Angela Merkel in next year’s elections.
SPD Socialist Martin Schulz made the impromptu statement at the EU legislature. He has been European Parliament President since 2012 and said that deciding against seeking a third term, “didn’t come easy.” The 28-nation EU has come under increasing pressure since the 2008 economic crisis and Schulz said “a lot of trust was lost.”
Yet, since Germany is ever more the fundamental cornerstone of the EU, Schulz feels the EU cause can be served from Berlin, too.
“My commitment to the European project is unwavering. From now on I will be fighting for this project from the national level, but my values do not change,” he said.