Roberta METSOLA, EP President participates to a commemorative ceremony in the European Parliament, one year after David SASSOLI, former EP President (2019-2022), passed away on 11th January 2021.

Brussels

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

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

BENIFEI, Brando (S&D, IT)

commemoration

president's agenda

Remembrance ceremony in honour of David SASSOLI, former EP President (2019-2022): extracts from the ceremony

Arrival of Roberta  METSOLA, EP President (3 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, <p>A year ago Europe lost a leader, democracy lost a champion and we lost a friend. David Sassoli was a man of vision and a man of conviction, always able to translate the values he believed in, into action. As President of the European Parliament, his courage meant this House remained active during the most critical months of the pandemic.</p>

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, <p>Solidarity and equality were everything for President Sassoli. In his address before Christmas - just over a year ago - he said: &ldquo;Inequality can no longer be tolerated or accepted&rdquo;, insisting on the importance for the European Union institutions to protect the most vulnerable. He called for a Europe of hope. A vision. And as David Sassoli stated: &ldquo;We can be that hope when we don&rsquo;t ignore those in need. When we don&rsquo;t build walls on our borders. When we fight all forms of injustice</p>

This year will be a year of further reform and actions to strengthen European Parliament integrity, independence and accountability

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, We were lucky to have had David Maria Sassoli as President, colleague and friend

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Brando BENIFEI (S&amp;D, IT), Chair of the Italian S&amp;D delegation, We miss him a lot, he was a guide for all of us, some onewe woulsd still need him a lot.  It is a big emotion for all of us to remmeber him and for all Italian people.

Short film about President Sassoli - audience watching (extracts) (4 shots)

Roberta METSOLA, EP President lays down a bouquet of flowers (2 shots)

European Anthem - audience listening (6 shots)