Schultz headed the party of the SPD and became a candidate for Chancellor of Germany
BERLIN, March 19 — RIA Novosti, angelina Timofeeva. Former European Parliament President, Martin Schulz, was approved at the extraordinary Congress by the Chairman of the Social democratic party of Germany (SPD) and candidate for Chancellor of Germany, to 100% of the votes.
Parliamentary elections in Germany will take place on September 24.
For Schultz voted 605 of 608 delegates and permitted to vote
Three ballots were declared invalid. An extraordinary Congress of the SPD takes place on Sunday in Berlin, it involved about 3 thousand visitors and 500 journalists.
Schulz succeeded as leader of the party of the current foreign Minister of Germany Sigmar Gabriel.
Portrait for Gabriel
As a parting gift, Schultz was awarded to the former head of the SPD portrait of the founder of the party of August Bebel.
According to Schultz, this picture should remind his predecessor, that he was “one of the greats in the tradition of chairmen of the SPD”.
The Gabriel before giving a gift in his characteristic humorous manner asked whose portrait he was presented — not whether Martin Schulz.
In his farewell speech, Gabriel said that the resignation of the head of the SPD, was his “most difficult decision in life, but also the most correct.” After the speech, which lasted about an hour, the hall gave the former President a standing ovation.
Who is Schultz
That Schultz will be a Chancellor candidate from the social Democrats, it was decided at the beginning of the year long consultation on the Board of the SPD.
As a result of negotiations, the then head of the party, Vice-Chancellor and Minister of economy and energy in the coalition government, Sigmar Gabriel announced in late January about his refusal to stand as a candidate in the election. He also said that he was leaving the position of head of the party and changes the chair of the Minister of economy for the post of foreign Minister.
Schultz previously announced resignation of the head of the European Parliament to participate in the elections in Germany, was named the successor to Gabriel and future candidate for Chancellor.
Schultz was born on 20 December 1955. The University education policy, academic failure, he was expelled from school. In school, Schultz wanted to be a footballer but a football career did not work out, so he received training and from 1977 to 1982 he worked as a bookseller in publishing houses and stores, and later opened his own store in würselen in the West (North Rhine — Westphalia).
Schultz recognizes that within a few years after finishing football career, was an alcoholic, but “thanks to family, friends and Jusos (youth organization of the social Democrats)” he managed to get rid of this disease.
In the SPD, Schultz joined in 1974, 1987 and 1998 he was mayor of the city würselen, 1999 included in the Presidium of the party. A member of the European Parliament Schulz is since 1994, has twice been its Chairman.
Agenda Schultz
Schultz said at the Congress of the SPD on Sunday, the main task of the party today is to protect “freedom and democracy”, and those who will oppose it, “will receive the strongest enemy in my face and the face of the SPD”.
He again called a “disgrace for Germany” eurosceptic party “Alternative for Germany”.
“The idea of cooperation between peoples unlimited cooperation in the name of peace, freedom and our security, and in the name of welfare is the idea of Europe,” said Schultz, adding that “the German Chancellor is obliged to ensure a strong position of Germany in Europe and on this basis to strengthen Europe itself”.
Particular emphasis he made on immigration policy, saying the immigration crisis can be solved “only by the entire European community rather than individual national efforts.”
Schulz called “important partners” Germany, USA and Turkey, however, said he believes a “pattern of behavior” the actions of former Chancellor Gerhard schröder, who refused in the early 2000-ies from participating in the anti-Iraq coalition led by the United States, in spite of “partnership and Alliance commitments”.
Schulz said he would not tolerate “the grazing of our Turkish fellow citizens with each other”, and creating an unacceptable atmosphere in society because of the “comparisons with Nazism”
Previously, such comparisons allowed himself the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“We need to make clear to Erdogan that it won’t pass,” said Schultz under the applause of the audience.
He called for “fairness, dignity and respect”, primarily in relation to the working population and retirees, spoke out against the “intolerable falling wages”. Schulz said that the SPD will strive for universal free education “from kindergarten to University”.