Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament mourn the passing away of EP president, David Sassoli. S&D leader Iratxe García today invited everyone in the house to hold a minute of silence in front of the Parliament at 13:00 to pay tribute to Sassoli.

The S&Ds will continue with the negotiations to decide on their vote for the president of the second half of the mandate, which will take place next week in Strasbourg.

This evening, S&D MEPs will question the candidate of The Left to become EP president, Sira Rego MEP, and tomorrow morning they will question the EPP candidate, Roberta Metsola.  

S&D Group president, Iratxe García MEP, said:  

“Today is a very sad day for all of us. We are devastated by our loss and we will keep working for the values that our friend and colleague David Sassoli fought for. President Sassoli did a great job during the last two years and a half. He made it possible for the parliament to continue its work during the worst period of the pandemic, and led this house in a spirit of dialogue, respect and cooperation; always working for the citizens and for a Europe of cohesion, justice and solidarity.

“We will pay tribute to his memory over the next days and we will remember him when we hold our first group meeting of the New Year this evening, at 18:00.

“Then we will continue with our agenda, as time is pressing to renew the leadership of the Parliament. I will keep negotiating with other political groups, and we will have two hearings - this evening and tomorrow.

“We need to build a pro-European majority in this house to make sure that we can function with responsibility and stability. At the same time, we need assurance that the next EP president and the supporting majority will promote an agenda where we see our priorities and our values represented.

“As yet, nothing is decided, so every decision is open. Our political family is the second largest group in this parliament and we demand a fair political balance - both at a political level and on the administrative structures.

“Our group will only decide our vote in our group meeting next Monday, ahead of the plenary vote.”