Yesterday began with sad news: David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, passed away on Tuesday night. His death caused consternation in Brussels and far beyond – especially in Sassoli’s home country of Italy. „È un giorno triste per l’Europa,“ a sad day for Europe, said President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. In his obituary, Eric Bonse looks back on Sassoli’s career and his role in the EU.