Farewell to the President of the EU Parliament David Sassoli. Von der Leyen: "A great European and Italian"
He was 65 years old, he had been hospitalized for a dysfunction of the immune system. The staff: “He fought and worked until the last possible moment”. Flags at half mast in the European institutions, on Friday the funeral in Rome
During the night, at 1.15, the president of the European Parliament David Sassoli died.
He was 65 years old, since last December 26 he was in the cancer center of Aviano, in the province of Pordenone, due to the onset of a serious complication due to a dysfunction of the immune system: only yesterday the news of his hospitalization was spread.
Already in the night between 14 and 15 September last he was hospitalized in Strasbourg for pneumonia . He explained that he was “seriously hit by a nasty Legionella pneumonia: I had a very high fever, I was hospitalized in Strasbourg, then I returned to Italy for convalescence. But unfortunately I suffered a relapse and this episode prompted the doctors to recommend me a series of analyzes and investigations ".
He never stopped working, first at a distance, then at the end of November he returned to the plenary in presence. In December, however, his condition deteriorated again.
His staff talked about the last days of his life with a moving post on social media: "You can live and die in many ways. David Sassoli fought and worked until the last possible moment, informing himself, actively participating in the cause of good common with indomitable curiosity and passion despite the increasingly precarious state of health, after the temporary recovery of some time ago ".
Flags at half mast in the buildings of the European institutions in Brussels as a sign of mourning. In the seat of the European Parliament in the Belgian capital, the blue-background flags with the 27 golden stars fly at half mast from 8.30 this morning. Shortly afterwards, the Commission and the EU Council also did the same in the buildings of the European headquarters.
The funeral will take place on Friday 14 January at 12 in the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Rome.
JOURNALISM AND POLITICS - Sassoli's life was divided between journalism and politics, between Florence, Rome and Brussels until he became president of the European Parliament in 2019, the second Italian after Antonio Tajani since the assembly of Strasbourg is elected by universal suffrage.
Florentine by birth but Roman by adoption, he had become a familiar face to Italian families above all for his conduct of Tg1, of which he was also deputy director. In 2009 he decided to devote himself to politics. Candidate as leader of the newborn Democratic Party in the central Italy constituency, he was elected for the first time with over 400 thousand preferences and became head of the delegation of the Democratic Party to the European Parliament.
After a decade spent between the banks in Brussels and Strasbourg, in 2014-2019 he held the position of vice-president for the entire mandate, mainly dealing with transport (the so-called third railway package), Euro-Mediterranean policy and budget. On 3 July 2019 he was elected president of the assembly.
Married and father of two children, he lived in Rome but as soon as possible he moved to the house of Sutri, in Tuscia along the Via Cassia, to cultivate his passions: gardening and good reading.
His post as president of the EP would expire in days: next week the plenary meeting of the European Parliament will be held in Strasbourg to elect the successor.
THE REACTIONS - Prime Minister Mario Draghi remembers him like this: "A man of institutions, a profound pro-European, a passionate journalist, Sassoli was a symbol of balance, humanity, generosity. These qualities have always been recognized by all his colleagues, from every political position and of every EU country, testifying to his extraordinary civil passion, ability to listen, constant commitment to the service of citizens. His untimely and sudden death leaves dismay. To his wife, Alessandra Vittorini, to his children, Livia and Giulio, and to all his dear, the condolences of the government and my personal ".
"I am deeply saddened by the death of a great European and Italian. David Sassoli was a passionate journalist, an extraordinary President of the European Parliament and above all a dear friend", wrote the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen in a tweet. "My thoughts go out to your family. Rest in peace, dear David."
"I feel sad and moved after the news of the death of David Sassoli - the words of the President of the EU Council Charles Michel -. A sincere and passionate European, we already miss his human warmth, his generosity, his cordiality and his smile. . Sincere condolences to his family and loved ones ".
"A terrible news for all of us in Italy and in Europe - tweeted the EU Commissioner for Economic Affairs Paolo Gentiloni -. We will remember your figure as a democratic and pro-European leader. You were a clear, generous, cheerful, popular man. A hug to your family. . Rest in peace".
(Unioneonline / D)
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