Rome, Europe Brief News – Head of the EU Parliament David Sassoli has died in the early hours of Tuesday at the age of 65.
“David Sassoli passed away at 1.15am on 11 January at the CRO in Aviano, Italy,” his spokesman Roberto Cuillo tweeted.
We will declare the date and place of the funeral in the next few hours.”
The Italian former journalist and centre-left politician had been seriously ill for more than two weeks.
He went to hospital in Italy last month after a serious complication with his immune system. He died there this morning.
In September, Sassoli was taken to hospital in Strasbourg where he was treated for a severe case of pneumonia caused by legionella.
He later told his followers on social media that he had suffered a relapse while recuperating in Italy.
The head of European Parliament worked remotely during October, officially resuming his political duties in November.
But he again went to hospital on 26 December, Italian media report.
Unlike some EU officials, who speak in English and French in public appearances, Sassoli had made a point of using Italian.
On Tuesday next week, MEPs will hold the first round of voting for his successor.
