Political Career
In 1974, at the age of 19, Schulz joined the SPD, became involved with the Young Socialists and in 1984 was elected to the Würselen Municipal Council, remaining a member for just over two electoral terms, to 1998, from 1987 onwards as mayor. At 31, he was then the youngest mayor in North Rhine-Westphalia. He held that office until 1998.
During his period of office as mayor of Würselen Martin Schulz was responsible in particular for the building of the Aquana aquatic leisure centre. In view of the town’s budget problems, this decision has long been seen as controversial.
In the 1994 European elections Schulz was elected to the European Parliament and between 2000 and 2004 was chair of the SPD delegation. Following the 2004 European elections he took over the leadership of the PSE Group, succeeding the Spaniard Enrique Barón Crespo. Since 13 November 2009 he has been the SPD’s European Coordinator, responsible for improving cooperation within the party between the EU and national levels. He is also a member of the cross-party organisation Europa-Union Deutschland. On 17 January 2012 Schulz was elected President of the European Parliament.
Read more about this topic: Martin Schulz
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