Martin Schulz, the former president of European Parliament, is now running against Angela Merkel for the German Chancellery. SPIEGEL speaks with him about populism, the stability of democracy and Donald Trump.
SPIEGEL: Mr. Schulz, are we in agreement that your nomination as the chancellor candidate for the Social Democrats (SPD) and your installation as head of the party were more about the party’s image and less about your political objectives?
Schulz: No. But it has become very apparent that the way I practice politics is seen in a positive light. Because in times of upheaval, people wish for nothing more than composure and sincerity. The principles of the SPD have remained the same for 150 years: democracy, human dignity, justice and inclusion. We will never change those principles.
