20/10/2021 (Agence Europe) – The President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, will not be present at the European Council on Thursday 21 October “due to a prolonged convalescence”, his spokesman, Roberto Cuillo, announced on Wednesday 20 October. His traditional opening address will this time be distributed only to the heads of state or government of the EU Member States, who are meeting on Thursday and Friday in Brussels. David Sassoli also did not travel to Strasbourg this week to chair the plenary session. This is expected to be the last European Council for Angela Merkel of Germany and Stefan Löfven of Sweden. After 16 years as head of the German government, Merkel will have attended 107 European summits. (MB)