During a ceremony in the European Parliament in Brussels, President Metsola unveils a portrait of the late EP President David Sassoli in presence of his family. He served as the president of the European Parliament from 3 July 2019 until his death on 11 January 2022.

portrait

official portrait

ceremony

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

SASSOLI, David Maria (S&D, IT, S&D, IT)

president's agenda

Roberta METSOLA, EP President unveils the portrait of David SASSOLI, former EP President: extracts from the ceremony

Arrival of Roberta METSOLA, EP President with Allessandra SASSOLI, widow of David SASSOLI

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Thank you all for being here with President Sassoli, his close family, and with us to honor the legacy of a great president for this House of European democracy and to honor the memory of a dear friend. 

Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Alessandra SASSOLI unveil the portrait of David SASSOLI, EP former President

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Cara Alessandra, distinguished colleagues, dear friends, it is really a great honor to unveil the photograph of our dear late president David at the gallery of portraits of former presidents of the European Parliament in your company today. It was very important to the president that this House of Democracy reopened its doors after the pandemic so that in this European Parliament, Europeans could meet, exchange and think together. David Sassoli will be remembered in this house as a true European leader, a champion for democracy who was able so capably to steer this assembly stoically through what would have been an existential crisis if it were not for his a steady hand at the wheel.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP president, For David, for his parliament, the principle of solidarity of equality were not just buzzwords, they were everything because what he preached, he practiced.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Under David Sassoli, the European Parliament accelerated its transformation from purely being a legislative house to being anchored into a political force for democracy for Europe. The European Parliament has pulled out stronger. We have become a role model, and this was the message that was delivered to other parliaments by our president, David Sassoli

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, David, as the war has returned to Europe and the European Union faces a very big challenge to destabilize its democratic rules-based world order. I ask you what better legacy could you have left us?

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Roberta METSOLA, We were lucky to have David Maria Sassoli as president as a colleague, and as a friend, thank you, thank you [

SOUNDBITE (French), Alessandra SASSOLI, Thank you with all my heart for these beautiful words and for this very emotional moment for me and for my family. David has lived in this building for more than 12 hours. He enjoyed being a Member of the European Parliament and when he became President of this institution, he really made himself available to everyone

SOUNDBITE (French), Alessandra SASSOLI, He suffered a lot at the beginning of the pandemic to make the decisions capable of protecting the staff, the MEPs, but above all keeping the Parliament open and functional for the citizens, serving the meal to the homeless and helping vulnerable women was a priority for who was always in the footsteps of the weakest. [00:03:54][27.8]

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Alessandra SASSOLI, This house with all the people who populate it is an important place for us, has embraced us in the great virtual embrace of the many who have spontaneously gathered out here. On the day of his death, she consoled us in the memories and testimonies of the people who shared with him paths of friendship and work that he lived with enthusiasm and without sparing himself. Like the best adventure of his life. Thanks.

Portrit of David SASSOLI and EP former Presidents (2 shots)