Martin Schulz (born December 20, 1955) is a German politician and President of the European Parliament since 2012. Previously he was leader of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament. On July 1, 2014, Martin Schulz was re-elected as European Parliament President.

Schulz went to school in Broich (now Würselen). Originally dreaming of a career as football player, a heavy injury to his knee put a hold on his youthful ambitions. He became an apprentice book seller and later opened a bookstore in Würselen. During this time he was already politically active and at the age of 31, he was elected Mayor of Würselen in 1987, a position he held until 1998.He received  International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen on May 14, 2015.