Spotlight: MEPs react to European Parliament president Schulz's coming departure

Members of European Parliament (MEPs), here for a plenary session, reacted on Thursday to an announcement from Martin Schulz, president of the European Parliament, that he would not stand for a third term.

Manfred Weber (Germany), chairman of the European People's Party group (EPP), thanked Schulz on behalf of the EPP for his "commitment to Europe" ,saying "the passion and clarity that he has shown in his function as president of the European Parliament is extraordinary," he continued.

"The European Parliament and the European Union (EU) as a whole will be deprived of one of their greatest leaders," lamented Gianni Pittella (Italy), president of the Socialists and Democrats group (S&D). "Martin Schulz has substantially contributed to increasing the political role and visibility of the European Parliament."

Schulz held a press conference Thursday morning to end what he referred to as months of speculation about his future.

"I have now made that decision. I will not run for a third term as president of the European Parliament," Schulz declared, before explaining his choice to turn to national politics in his native Germany. Next year, he will run for the German Bundestag as the head of the SPD (Social Democratic Party) list in North Rhine-Westphalia.

"It was not an easy decision, as it is an honor to be president of the European Parliament and I am very thankful for this opportunity," Schulz admitted.

While many voices praised Schulz for his effective leadership, his departure will lead to speculation about the future of the European Parliament. "For us, it is now evident that Martin's decision will dramatically change the political dynamic within the EU institutions," warned Pittella.

For his part, Weber called for maintaining the "strong and stable coalition" Schulz had helped build between S&D and EPP groups.

"It is crucial to make sure this stability is safeguarded. We also want to make sure that the role of radical and extremist MEPs is limited and that they cannot influence major EU decisions. This is what is needed over the coming years," the German MEP stressed.

Other groups were more critical, though, with members of the European Conservatives and Reformists group (ECR), accusing Schulz of having concentrated decision-making to a small group of backroom dealers.

ECR chairman Syed Kamall said, "Now that Mr. Schulz is leaving, an opportunity has presented itself for the European Parliament to rethink entirely how it is being run and for the EPP and S&D groups to seriously ask if the Grand Coalition he leads has been healthy for democracy and transparency."

Kamall's ECR colleague, Helga Stevens (Belgium), was the first MEP to announce her bid for the presidency of the European Parliament following elections in January.

"With Martin Schulz now leaving the parliament, we have an opportunity to change how the institution is run so that every voice matters and all MEPs can finally have a say in the future of our European Union," said Stevens.

"We can see a true cultural change in how the European Parliament works that will restore people's faith in the parliament as a forum for open debate and noble causes, not of backroom dealing."

Schulz has held the presidency of the European Parliament since 2012, and was re-elected to a second term in July 2014. Before that, he served as leader of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats group, and has been a Member of European Parliament (MEP) since being first elected in 1994.

"In the future, I will remain engaged in the European project," he promised, specifying that he would from now on be fighting for Europe on the national level.

"My values do not change. I will continue to do my utmost to improve people's everyday life, to narrow inequalities within and between societies. Only by doing this, will it be possible to regain the lost trust," he continued. Endit