In Strasbourg on Wednesday 14 December, the outgoing President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, took stock of his five years in office, stating that the European institution had increased in visibility and influence under his presidency.
"I wanted to make the European Parliament more visible, more audible and more influential. Five years later, I can tell you that our gamble has paid off", said the Social Democrat, earning himself an ovation from his peers. "We have managed to ensure that Parliament has become the site of European democracy. With the 'Spitzenkandidaten' procedure, we have succeeded in creating a more democratic Europe", he added.
Schulz was referring to the political process which, in 2014, allowed the European parties to appoint their leader who, in the event of victory in the European elections, would hold the Presidency of the European Commission. Parliament wants this process, which made Jean-Claude Juncker's appointment possible, to be set in stone, but the member states are very reluctant to agree to this (see EUROPE 11544).
The German Social Democrat, who will stand in the national general elections of autumn 2017, warned the MEPs that "this transnational democracy is now in grave danger. Everywhere on our continent, divisive and ultra-nationalistic forces are making their voices heard and are gaining ground once again". He pledged to do all in his power to oppose this hatred in the future.
Earlier that day, the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, and the Slovak Secretary of State for European Affairs, Ivan Korčok, each paid tribute to Schulz. The MEPs will elect their successor in mid-January for the remainder of the current legislative period (see other article). (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)