“Now Europe are experiencing a wave of eroding solidarity, first of certain societies and then entire governments. At the same time, we have two giant new challenges to meet: the migration movement and terror. And then Great Britain is thinking about leaving the EU. That should suffice as a description.” ThinkingShouldFirstsTwoGovernmentCertainChallengesMovementEuropeLeavingWaveTerrorGiantsBritainDescriptionSolidarityMigrationGreat BritainNew Challenges Author:Martin Schulz
“Particularly in periods of crisis, governments have the obligation to lead by good example! Instead, many in Europe are confronting this global challenge with a penny-pinching mentality that drives me crazy.” GovernmentChallengesCrazyExamplePeriodsEuropeCrisisObligationMentalityPenniesConfrontingGood ExamplesDrive Me CrazyPinching Author:Martin Schulz
“The stubborn stance of some European governments on the refugee question is a reprisal less aimed at Angela Merkel or (Vice Chancellor) Sigmar Gabriel than at certain people on Wilhelmstrasse in Berlin.” PeopleGovernmentCertainVicesStubbornRefugeeBerlinStanceGabrielAngelaReprisal Author:Martin Schulz
“Solidarity is the fundamental idea of European cooperation. If a country feels itself to be militarily threatened and calls for soldiers, weapons and sanctions, then that's what it gets. When governments say they need money from the structural funds to stabilize their economy, that's what they get. But you can't cherry pick solidarity.” IfsNeedsFeelsIdeasCountryGovernmentEconomyWeaponsPicksFundamentalsSoldierFundCooperationSolidarityThreatenedSanctionsCherriesNeed Money Author:Martin Schulz
“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.” IfsGovernmentCommunitySituationPrinciplesBreakPolicyBasesBoundsCommittedPursueDramaticSolidarityJointsBasic PrinciplesDramatic Situations Author:Martin Schulz
“Businesses will only invest in Greece if three conditions are fulfilled. First, there must be a clear commitment to the euro. No businesses will invest if they have to fear that Greece will leave the euro zone at some point. Second, the Greek government must be prepared to work together with European institutions in order to restructure the country.” IfsFirstsCountryGovernmentTogetherOrderThreeClearConditionsCommitmentInstitutionsPreparedGreekZoneWorking TogetherFulfilledBe PreparedGreeceEuroRestructure Author:Martin Schulz
“If cooperation among governments were the superior concept for progress in Europe, I'd be onboard immediately. But the problem is that cooperation isn't working.” IfsProblemGovernmentProgressConceptsEuropeSuperiorsCooperation Author:Martin Schulz
“Just come to Brussels after a Council meeting. Do you know what happens? Every head of government holds his or her own press conference. They all say the same thing, in 24 languages: I was able to push through my agenda. And if the result is anything other than what they desired, the message is: Brussels is to blame. It has been this way for over 20 years. These messages stick with people, and that's deadly for Europe.” PeopleIfsKnowsWayYearsHas BeensGovernmentHappensAbleLanguageResultsMessagesEuropeBlamePressesSticksMeetingsAgendasDo You KnowConferencesCouncilPress ConferencesBrussels Author:Martin Schulz
“It is impossible to swear an oath to the German Basic Law without realizing that our constitution is among the most liberal constitutions in the world. As the head of government in such a country, I would stand up to all those who call into question this free, open and tolerant model of society.” WorldCountryGovernmentLawRealizingImpossibleModelsConstitutionSwearOath Author:Martin Schulz
