Martin Schulz elected President of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung e.V.

He succeeds Kurt Beck, the former Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate, who has headed the FES since 2013.

Martin Schulz joins the seven presidents of the FES since its re-establishment after the Second World War.

After his election he declared: “I’m delighted to assume today the honourable task of President of the FriedrichEbert-Stiftung. The FES is Germany’s oldest political foundation. It stands for the unconditional support and defence of democracy, for the promotion of and right to fair educational opportunities, and for international cooperation and solidarity. We want to be perceived as a leading think tank that offers scope for debate and discussion. We want to develop utopias and visions for the future, and make a visible contribution to a just and democratic world. I’m very much looking forward to these tasks!”

Vice-Presidents:

• Daniela Kolbe, Member of the Bundestag
• Michael Sommer, former Chairman of the German Trade Union Confederation

Member of the Executive Board and Secretary General:

• Dr. Roland Schmidt until and including 30 June 2021.
• Dr. Sabine Fandrych, with effect from 1 July 2021, who will join the Executive Board on 1 January 2021.

The following individuals were confirmed as further Members of the Executive Board:

• Prof. Dr. Peter Brandt
• Dr. Barbara Hendricks
• Christina Kampmann
• Barbara Ludwig
• Dr. Rolf Mützenich
• Matthias Platzeck
• Newly elected was Anke Rehlinger.

Kurt Beck was elected Honorary President in recognition of his outstanding services. Hannelore Kraft, former Minister-President of Thuringia, was elected Chair of the Board of Trustees and Heike Taubert, Finance Minister of the Free State of Thuringia, was elected as the Deputy Chair.

You can find biographical information about Martin Schulz and free photographic material here: www.fes.de/presse/vorstandswechsel

Download the press statement in English here. For press statements in German, please go to: https://www.fes.de/beitraege/martin-schulz-ist-unser-neuer-vorsitzender