Photo Gallery A Breath of Fresh Air
Martin Schulz (left), the former president of the European Parliament, will now lead the center-left Social Democratic Party in Germany and challenge Angela Merkel as the party's official chancellor candidate.
Although he has no experience in German domestic politics, he spent more than two decades in the European Parliament, most recently as president of the EU legislative body, which has gained in stature and power under his leadership. Many in Germany are hoping that his new role in German politics will help breathe life into a party that has lost its luster in recent years. The move comes after Sigmar Gabriel (right) stepped down as head of the SPD in a surprise move last week.
Schulz, pictured here with his wife Inge and his two children, is self-educated. He has neither a university degree nor a colleague-preparatory high school diploma. But this didn't stop him from becoming a highly successful politician respected across Germany and Europe.
It had long been unclear whether Sigmar Gabriel would run himself or make room for Martin Schulz to lead the party. Last week, he moved to the Foreign Ministry and opened the door for Schulz to run.
His positions don't vary that widely from those of Chancellor Angela Merkel, but he is nonetheless perceived by her party as a threat because he is likely to make a more formidable opponent during the election than Sigmar Gabriel would have. The fact that Schulz is not part of the current government will give him additional room to be critical.
Opponents may paint Schulz as an outsider with little experience in German politics. Some critics also point to his lack of higher education.
