03/26/2009
INTERVIEW WITH EU PARLIAMENTARIAN MARTIN SCHULZ
'We're in God's Hands'
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, acting president of the European Union, lost a no-confidence vote in the Czech parliament. Martin Schulz, chairman of the Socialist group in European Parliament, argues that now the EU has to struggle not just for leadership, but for its very survival.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Mr. Schulz, does the EU currently lack leadership?
Schulz: No. Definitely not. President Topolanek is in office, even if its just in a caretaker role. He can continue his coordinating role as head of the European Council. The EU's ability to function hasn't been impaired. Topolanek himself of course has less room to maneuver. But, he hadn't exactly been the strongest council president to date anyway.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: How do you mean?
Schulz: Just look how he blathered about the United States yesterday in Parliament. http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,615705,00.html