David Sassoli, the Italian president of the European Parliament, passed away early Tuesday due to the consequences of an immune complication. Sassoli (65) had been under treatment since late December for a “serious complication resulting from a dysfunction of the immune system,” according to a statement released Monday.
The Italian social democrat was elected in 2019 to lead the European Parliament as president, as part of a deal with the Christian Democrats who, together with Ursula von der Leyen, held the presidency of the European Commission.
The European Parliament was scheduled to vote next week on electing a new president, halfway through the current president’s term. The Christian Democrats had nominated Roberta Metsola from Malta as an opposing candidate to Sassoli.
It is still unclear whether the vote will proceed next week. It is also unknown if the prepared agenda will be completed as planned or if protocol will dictate otherwise.
Sassoli was a former journalist and an experienced EU parliamentarian with ten years of service, making him a veteran in the EU Parliament. “David Sassoli was a passionate journalist, an extraordinary president of the European Parliament, and above all a dear friend,” wrote Commission President Von der Leyen on Twitter.
During his time in parliament, Sassoli led the European railway reform and the single European sky initiatives as a member of the Transport and Tourism Committee.
In a speech to EU leaders last month, Sassoli stated that Europe primarily needs “a new project of hope,” achieved through innovation across all sectors, protection of Europeans, and its democratic model.