«The smile, the eyes, the word. With this triptych I want to begin this speech in memory of David ». Thus Enrico Letta, secretary of the Democratic Party, began his greeting speech in the commemoration ceremony of David Sassoli at the European Parliament. Speaking in English, Italian and French. «The smile, yours. The eyes, those of others. The word of those who have no voice », Letta continued. «The smile, hers, was a special gift, and it is the first thought that crosses the mind of each of us thinking of David. It is the image that transmits its strength and its serenity. His smile was an innate gift, but his smile was above all a state of mind. It was the smile of welcome, understanding, kindness and consistency. It never failed. Until the very end. Until that last Christmas message. And up to the last glances with Alessandra, with Giulio and Livia ». “The eyes. Those of others. Those that David sought, looked at and crossed paths with. Those eyes that told the dramas of our time. The word. That of those who have no voice. His whole life has been dedicated to giving a word to the voiceless. Give hope to those who have none ».
The integral speech by Enrico Letta
“These days of mourning for Italy are also those of the difficult choice of or of the President of the Republic”, added the Pd secretary, “the one or the one who will take the baton of a President with exceptional talents like Sergio Mattarella. In recent days, the rumors of those who think that David would have been the President to be elected have multiplied. Voices of every political orientation. Talking about this theme with himself a month ago, I recorded his smile and a phrase that I keep in my heart. The lesson I draw is that politics must know how to look beyond: beyond appearance and immediacy. And make bold choices. Because that choice that appears obvious to most, today that David no longer exists, yesterday it did not appear ». “You have left an indelible mark on European history and on our lives. We will carry on your work. Your battles will continue to be our battles. We will never forget you. Goodbye David ».
The memory in Italian of the interim president Metsola
Before Letta, to open the session, the words of the interim president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. «It is with great sadness that today we give our last heartfelt farewell to our president. Europe has lost a leader, democracy a champion, all of us a friend ”. The highest Italian and international political authorities were present at the ceremony, from Prime Minister Draghi and Foreign Minister Di Maio to the President of the European Council Charles Michel. The president of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen is justified absent, who had to give up because her driver tested positive for Covid. “David was one of us, a man of great vision and deep convictions as a man and a politician,” continued Metsola. «He has always translated the values he believed in into concrete actions. He took courageous decisions, he fought in the open Parliament during the most difficult months of the pandemic ».
Charles Michel: “David’s smile, a trademark”
Words of affection and esteem also those of the President of the European Council, Charles MIchel. “We would like to carry some of this pain with you if we could, madam,” began Michel, addressing Sassoli’s wife and her family. “David was a respectful person, smiling and purposeful. His smile was not lying, it was his trademark, the two ideas were strong and his manner was kind “, added Michel, concluding:” You go away, David, and a part of you remains in each of us. We are inspired by your example. Thank you dear president, thank you dear David. Rest in peace”.
Macron: “A far-sighted man with broad visions”
«David was convinced, charismatic, determined and determined to reaffirm his attachment to the European adventure and to everything that binds us. It is therefore with emotion that I remember a farsighted man, a characteristic that everyone remembered, with a vision as broad as the whole continent. “These are the words of the French president, Emmanuel Macron, in the commemoration ceremony of David Sassoli at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. “David Sassoli is a man whose vision is as wide as a continent”, Macron continued, “he planted many stones in the European Union building and prepared as many for his future”,
The commemoration of Sassoli, who died on 11 January last, was opened by a short video dedicated to the president of the European Parliament. Prime Minister Draghi and Foreign Minister Di Maio in the classroom. The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is absent due to the positivity of her driver. MEPs from the Group of Socialists and Democrats came to the courtroom with a white rose to remember the political group in which the former president of the European Parliament worked as a young man, inspired by the German resistance group Weiss Rose who had fought against Nazism .
Tomorrow the European Parliament will elect Sassoli’s successor. It was precisely to call the elections for January 18, announcing that he would not run again.