Martin Schulz
Encyclopedia
Martin Schulz is a German
politician
and Member of the European Parliament
for the Social Democratic Party of Germany
, since 2004 leader of the Socialists in the European Parliament
(formerly called the Party of European Socialists
group and since 2009 called the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
).
of the EU
Council of Ministers, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi
of Italy was heavily criticised by MEP Martin Schulz because of Berlusconi's domestic policy
. Berlusconi replied:
Berlusconi later claimed he was referring to the comedy-series Hogan's Heroes
, where a slow-witted character named Sgt. Hans Georg Schultz, played by John Banner
, starred.
Even though Berlusconi insisted that he was just ironic, his comparisons with the Nazis caused a brief diplomatic rift between Italy and Germany.
Politics of Germany
The Federal Republic of Germany is a federal parliamentary republic, based on representative democracy. The Chancellor is the head of government, while the President of Germany is the head of state, which is a ceremonial role but with substantial reserve powers.Executive power is vested in the...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and Member of the European Parliament
Member of the European Parliament
A Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
for the Social Democratic Party of Germany
Social Democratic Party of Germany
The Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany...
, since 2004 leader of the Socialists in the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
(formerly called the Party of European Socialists
Party of European Socialists
The Party of European Socialists is a European political party led by Sergei Stanishev, former Prime Minister of Bulgaria. The PES comprises social-democratic national-level political parties primarily from Member state of the European Union, as well as other nations of the European continent. The...
group and since 2009 called the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
The Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats is the social-democratic political group in the European Parliament, formed by MEPs of the Party of European Socialists and allied centre-left parties. The group dates its ancestry via various names back to the beginning of the European...
).
Career
- 1975-1977: Apprentice bookseller
- 1977-1982: Worked in various bookshops and publishing houses
- 1982-1994: Bookshop proprietor
- 1991-1999: Member of the SPD Party Council
- since 1995: Member of the Mittelrhein SPD Executive
- since 1996: Chairman of the Aachen District SPD
- since 1999: Member of the SPD Federal Executive
- 1984-1999: Municipal Councillor, Würselen
- 1987-1998: MayorMayorIn many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of WürselenWürselenWürselen is a town in the district of Aachen, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.-Coat of arms:The coat of arms show the eagle of the coat of arms of Aachen in the topleft corner. The second quarter shows the coat of arms of the Rhine Province, however the bend also represents the river Wurm which... - since 1994: Member of the European ParliamentMember of the European ParliamentA Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
- 1994-1996: PES Group coordinator, Subcommittee on Human Rights
- 1996-2000: PES Group coordinator, Committee on Civil Liberties and Home Affairs
- 2000-2004: Chairman of the German Socialist (SPD) delegation, European ParliamentEuropean ParliamentThe European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
- 2002-2004: First Vice-Chairman of the PES Group
- since 2009: Chairman of the PES and then S&D Group
Berlusconi incident
On July 2, 2003, one day after taking over the rotating presidencyPresident
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of the EU
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
Council of Ministers, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi
Silvio Berlusconi
Silvio Berlusconi , also known as Il Cavaliere – from knighthood to the Order of Merit for Labour which he received in 1977 – is an Italian politician and businessman who served three terms as Prime Minister of Italy, from 1994 to 1995, 2001 to 2006, and 2008 to 2011. Berlusconi is also the...
of Italy was heavily criticised by MEP Martin Schulz because of Berlusconi's domestic policy
Domestic policy
Domestic policy, also known as public policy, presents decisions, laws, and programs made by the government which are directly related to all issues and activity within the country....
. Berlusconi replied:
- "Signor Schulz, so che in Italia c'è un produttore che sta montando un film sui campi di concentramento nazisti: la suggerirò per il ruolo di kapò. Lei è perfetto!“
- In English: "Mister Schulz, I know of a movie-producer in Italy who is making a film about Nazi concentration-camps. I will recommend you for the part of a KapoKapo (concentration camp)A kapo was a prisoner who worked inside German Nazi concentration camps during World War II in any of certain lower administrative positions. The official Nazi word was Funktionshäftling, or "prisoner functionary", but the Nazis commonly referred to them as kapos.- Etymology :The origin of "kapo"...
(concentration-camp inmate appointed as supervisor). You are perfect!"
Berlusconi later claimed he was referring to the comedy-series Hogan's Heroes
Hogan's Heroes
Hogan's Heroes is an American television sitcom that ran for 168 episodes from September 17, 1965, to March 28, 1971, on the CBS network. The show was set in a German prisoner of war camp during the Second World War. Bob Crane had the starring role as Colonel Robert E...
, where a slow-witted character named Sgt. Hans Georg Schultz, played by John Banner
John Banner
John Banner , born Johann Banner, was an American film and television actor, who was born and died in Vienna, Austria....
, starred.
Even though Berlusconi insisted that he was just ironic, his comparisons with the Nazis caused a brief diplomatic rift between Italy and Germany.