The chosen one had been hospitalized in Italy since December 26 for pneumonia. His Covid-19 tests were negative.
The Italian David Sassoli, who died on the night of Monday 10 to Tuesday 11 January at the age of 65, had chaired the European Parliament since 2019, a mandate won to everyone’s surprise by this former journalist who entered politics ten years earlier under the colors of the center left and for which he is totally involved.
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“David Sassoli died on January 11 at 1:15 a.m. at the CRO (oncology reference center) in Aviano, Italy, (north of Venice, editor’s note) where he was hospitalized“Since the end of December, announced on Twitter his spokesperson Roberto Cuillo, specifying that the place and date of the funeral would be communicated shortly.
“Immune system dysfunction”
Monday afternoon, his services announced the hospitalization of David Sassoli “due to a serious complication due to a dysfunction of the immune systemAnd the cancellation of its official activities. Having suffered from leukemia in the past, he had already been hospitalized this fall for pneumonia which had kept him away from the European Parliament for several weeks. “Sincere and passionate European, we already miss his human warmth, his generosity, his friendliness and his smile.», Reacted the President of the European Council Charles Michel. “I am extremely saddened by this terrible loss of a great European and proud Italian, caring journalist, extraordinary President of Parliament and above all a dear friend.“, Echoed the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
Star journalist-presenter of television news in Italy before turning to politics, David Sassoli had been at the head of the Strasbourg assembly since 2019. His term ended this month, at the middle of the five-year legislature. The election for his succession, to which he had been questioning for a while that he would represent himself, is currently scheduled for January 18. His group, the Social Democrats (S&D), the second political force in the European Parliament, had given up in mid-December to present a candidate, paving the way for the election of the EPP candidate (right), the current first Vice-President of Parliament, the Maltese Roberta Metsola. “My heart is broken. Europe has lost a leader, I have lost a friend, democracy has lost a champion“, The latter said on Twitter.
“A fighter for Europe”
Member of the European Parliament since 2009 without stopping with a failure in the municipal elections in Rome in 2013, David Sassoli was elected President of the European Parliament in July 2019 following negotiations between the major European political forces for the main positions of responsibility in the EU . The right, which had obtained the presidency of the Commission with Ursula von der Leyen, and the liberal-centrists, represented in the Council by Charles Michel, had also voted for him.
But his mandate, in which he was very involved, was quickly undermined by the health crisis, which forced the European Parliament, the only elected European institution, to work remotely. Out of solidarity in the midst of a pandemic, David Sassoli had made an impression by making the deserted premises of Parliament available, both in Strasbourg and in Brussels for the preparation of meals for people in need, the installation of a screening center. or to serve as a refuge for isolated women. “We will remember a democratic and pro-European leader. You were bright, generous, happy», Reacted his compatriot Paolo Gentiloni, European Commissioner for the Economy. “Her kindness was an inspiration to all», Added Frans Timmermans, vice-president of the Commission.
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The French Secretary of State for European Affairs, Clément Beaune, for his part welcomed “a fighter for Europe, a sincere and courageous defender of democracy and the values of our Union“.
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