The President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, was hailed in Strasbourg on Monday 17 January as a man determined to make this world a better and fairer place. Interspersed with two cello pieces performed by Anne Gastinel, the tribute ceremony to the President who died on 11 January (see EUROPE 12865/27), in the European Parliament, saw several European personalities expressing their gratitude for David Sassoli’s action and the way he led his institution. Only the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, was absent, having been reported as a contact case of her driver, infected with the Covid-19 virus.
Opening the ceremony, Parliament’s Acting President Roberta Metsola cited the solidarity, vision for the future and courage that she said the late President showed.
Former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta stressed how David Sassoli had fought for democracy and in doing so had brought citizens closer to Parliament. He recalled how he had led the Conference on the Future of Europe upwards and how he had opened the doors of the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg to vulnerable audiences during the first lockdown in 2020.
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, spoke directly to the portrait of David Sassoli next to his desk to thank him for his work. “You commanded respect beyond the office”, he insisted.
Like the other speakers, French President Emmanuel Macron also offered his condolences to David Sassoli’s wife and children, who were present in the Chamber.
The chairmen of Parliament’s political groups in turn paid tribute to their president. Iratxe Garcia Perez was very moved and regretted the loss of this socialist leader: “Europe has lost an exemplary politician”. His colleagues from other political persuasions also praised his political exemplarity, openness of heart and passion for Europe. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)