The death of the President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, plunged Europe into mourning
David Sassoli was a friend of Greece, a visionary, a Europeanist and a progressive, as he significantly enhanced the role of the European Parliament and played a vital role in its proper functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic

President of the European Parliament, the Italian Social-democrat, David Sassoli, passed away this morning, shortly before the end of his term.

The late David Sassoli was a friend of Greece, a Europeanist and a progressive. He played a vital role in ensuring the proper functioning of the European Parliament during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has been a pro-European politician and visionary and has significantly enhanced the role of the EU Parliament through initiatives such as the Conference on the Future of Europe as well as Next Generation EU.

He showed great responsibility and care from the beginning of the pandemic by organizing a remote voting system and mandatory teleworking. In a show of solidarity amid the pandemic, he has placed the abandoned EP offices in both Strasbourg and Brussels at the disposal of organisations preparing meals for families in need, and has given the green light to set up COVID-19 testing centers within the European Parliament.

As he was also actively engaged in journalism, before his involvement in politics, he took many initiatives on issues regarding the freedom of the Press and he condemned attacks towards journalists. After all,  the historic Plenary Resolution on the protection of researchers from SLAPPs is not a coincidence that it was voted in during his term.

Europe is mourning the loss of a good President, an idealist and a friend of our country.

Press Office of SYRIZA – Progressive Alliance in the European Parliament