Farewell to the President of the European Parliament David Sassoli.
Only yesterday was the news of his hospitalization in Italy due to the onset of a serious complication due to a dysfunction of the immune system.
He himself had spoken of his illness in a tweet last November.
Thank you, very heartily, to all of you ... See you
soon in Parliament!
pic.twitter.com/1PrHHQysR0
- David Sassoli (@DavidSassoli) November 9, 2021
"The unexpected and untimely death of David Sassoli pains me deeply. His death
opens a void in the ranks of those who believed in and built a Europe of peace
at the service of citizens and represents a source of profound pain for the Italian people and for the European people. His clear, constant, passionate commitment has contributed to making the Strasbourg assembly the protagonist of the political debate in a very delicate phase, giving voice to the expectations of European citizens ". Thus the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella.
European Union flags at half mast near the buildings of the European institutions in Brussels
in mourning for the death of the President of the EU Parliament David Sassoli. 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. "
It is a sad day for Europe
.
Today our Union loses a convinced pro-European, a sincere democrat and a good man ". This was stated by the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, speaking in Italian, recalling David Sassoli during a press point. He was" a man who fought for justice and solidarity and a good friend, my thoughts go out to his wife Alessandra, his children Giulio and Livia and all his friends ", added the president, who wore a black dress and mask.
Look at the photos
David Sassoli, a life between journalism and politics
Prime
Minister Mario Draghi
expressed his deepest condolences for the death of David Sassoli. "A man of institutions, a profound pro-European, a passionate journalist, Sassoli has been a symbol of balance, humanity, generosity. These qualities have always been recognized by all his colleagues, from every political position and from every EU country, testifying to his extraordinary passion civil, 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 loved ones, the condolences of the government and my personal ".
"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 the common good with indomitable curiosity and passion despite the increasingly precarious state of health, after the temporary recovery some time ago ". This is what we read in a post on David Sassoli's Facebook page published by his entourage, which highlights how "for the President of the European Parliament, for the politician Sassoli, for the man David in his private dimension, the basis of every action , of every behavior, of every choice, the human values of reference were very firm:
loyalty, coherence, education, respect
".
The exponents of the high European institutions and the colleagues of the missing journalist and politician gather around his family
. "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". The president of the European Commission,
Ursula von der Leyen
, writes in a tweet in Italian . "My thoughts go out to your family. Rest in peace, dear David," she adds.
"Sad and moved by the announcement of the death of David Sassoli. A sincere and passionate European, his human warmth, his generosity, his conviviality and his smile are already missing. Sincere condolences to his family and to the people close to him ".
The president of the EU Council, Charles Michel, writes in a tweet.
"The words I never wanted to say.
For a unique friend, a person of extraordinary generosity, a passionate pro-European
. For a man of vision and principles, theorized and practiced. That we will try to carry on. Knowing that we will not be up to it. # Goodbye David #Sassoli ".
The secretary of the Democratic Party, Enrico Letta, writes it on twitter.
THE PROFILE
- From familiar face of TG1 to president of the European Parliament, that of David Maria Sassoli was a life divided between journalism and politics,
between Florence, Rome and Brussels
until he became president of the European Parliament in 2019.
During the exceptional and unprecedented situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Sassoli made a commitment to ensure that the European Parliament remained open and continued to operate, introducing - already in March 2020 - remote debates and voting, the first parliament in the world to do so .
Sassoli moved thanking the European Parliament: "We made the European Union work"
Married and father of two children, a Fiorentina fan, Sassoli lived in Rome but as soon as possible he moved to the house of Sutri, a delightful medieval town in Tuscia along the Via Cassia, about thirty kilometers north of the capital, to cultivate his passions for gardening and good reading.
Sassoli was the second Italian president of the European Parliament after Antonio Tajani since the Strasbourg assembly was elected by universal suffrage.
His office would expire in days: next week the plenary meeting of the European Parliament which will meet in Strasbourg to elect his successor.