Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, officially opens the plenary session and tributes to Predrag Fred MATIĆ, a Croatian centre-left politician of the Social Democratic Party who served as a Member of European Parliament from 2019 to his death, followed by a minute of silence in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

statement

Strasbourg

plenary session

minute of silence

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

MATIĆ, Predrag Fred (HR)

president's agenda

Resumption of session and order of business: Statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, on the passing away of MEP Fred MATIĆ, followed by a minute of silence

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Dear colleagues, it is also with a very heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of our colleague and dear friend Fred MATIĆ on the 23rd of August. Fred was a champion of social justice, of human rights and equality, whether it was fighting for women's rights, veterans' rights or access to health care, he did not only influence policies, he changed lives.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Everyone who worked with him knew how passionate he was about the power of Europe to make a difference, how deeply he believed in politics as a force for good, and the infectious nature of his enthusiasm. As a war hero, a member of the Parliament, a former minister, he was driven by a strong sense of duty and unwavering in his commitment to build a better Europe.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, His legacy will endure in all of us who had the honour of working with him. Our thoughts are with his family, the Croatian delegation and the S&D group in this House. Please join me for a moment of silence to honour the memory of Mr. MATIĆ. Thank you.

Minute of silence to honour MEP Fred MATIĆ in the chamber