Quote

Referendums are a democratic instrument, but so are decisions reached in a parliamentary democracy. I advise extreme caution when it comes to referendums. In Germany too.

Martin Schulz

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Martin Schulz
Age: 69
Born: 1955
Born: December 20
Bookseller
German Politician
Non-Fiction Writer
Politician
Extremes
Germany
Referendums
Instruments
Parliamentary
Decisions
Advise
Democratic
Caution
Democracy
Reached
Decision
Extreme
Comes
Instrument

More quotes by Martin Schulz

Image
We need economic growth in Europe and we need to find a solution for the excessive interest rates that are making it difficult for many countries to get their own debt under control.
Martin Schulz
Image
We are living through an epochal shift. If we aren't careful, the elementary foundations of our pluralistic democracy will be threatened.
Martin Schulz
Image
European policy is always an interplay of rationality and emotion.
Martin Schulz
Image
Britain, Europe's second largest economy, a member of the G-7 and the UN Security Council, wants to leave the EU. That weakens us and it weakens Britain.
Martin Schulz
Image
The dream of Europe is a region of freedom and peace, of security, law, democracy, tolerance and mutual respect. If you look into the faces of the refugees you will see this dream. These are people who are fleeing from war, hate, violence and unjust systems.
Martin Schulz
Image
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.
Martin Schulz
Image
I have no illusions. Of course, Russia is massively upgrading its military. We know that Russia is pursuing a policy of expansion. This is of course a cause for concern among Eastern European countries.
Martin Schulz
Image
[Recep Tayyip] Erdogan is an adherent of realpolitik. He knows that international relations are not built on the strength of unilateral demands, but on solutions that are in everybody's best interest.
Martin Schulz
Image
We have to engage in a dialogue with Donald Trump because he is the elected president of the United States of America. But we have to emphatically oppose his foreign policy ideas.
Martin Schulz
Image
If we want to defeat Islamic State, we first have to arrive at a cease-fire agreement in Syria. Once that has been achieved, an anti-IS coalition can be assembled, including Russia, Saudi Arabia and Iran. That, however, will be significantly more difficult in the wake of Turkey's downing of the Russian plane.
Martin Schulz
Image
Keeping quiet and letting the others do the talking. That may be Angela Merkel's method, but it's not mine.
Martin Schulz
Image
You have to let the people vote when it comes to a new constitution.
Martin Schulz
Image
We all have to accept accusations that we ignored the refugee crisis for far too long. The first time that I referred to the Mediterranean Sea as Europe's cemetery was in October 2013, when hundreds of people drowned off Lampedusa. Italians, Maltese, Greeks and Spaniards have been pleading for help for years. But nobody cared.
Martin Schulz
Image
Without new money, salaries won't be paid, the health system will stop functioning, the power network and public transport will break down, and they won't be able to import vital goods because nobody can pay.
Martin Schulz
Image
I take note of the fact that there are a lot of people who appreciate what I do as parliament president, not just within my Social Democratic party group, but also among the conservatives.
Martin Schulz
Image
I firmly believe that the inequity [in society] is enormous. The people have the feeling that you are allowed to do anything if you are rich. But if you're poor, you have to pay. We [Europeans] have to counter this.
Martin Schulz
Image
The racist rhetoric that extends all the way to the top of the AfD shows that one must assume that an attitude is prevalent - not just in the grassroots, but also among party leadership - that is not consistent with the basic values reflected in our constitution.
Martin Schulz
Image
Trump is the freely elected president of the U.S. and as such deserves respect.
Martin Schulz
Image
The construction of social housing and the attempt to support families seeking to buy their own homes are all projects from the 1960s and '70s. It all sounds old-fashioned, but it is actually completely modern.
Martin Schulz
Image
I'm proud of the fact that Marine Le Pen in France insults me and Geert Wilders in the Netherlands calls me his opponent. The way I see it is, if these people weren't attacking me, I would be doing something wrong.
Martin Schulz