The S&D Group in the European Parliament mourns the death of Helmut Schmidt, former German Chancellor and a great personality of German Social Democracy (SPD) for many years.
Gianni Pittella, S&D Group President, said:
“We mourn the death of our friend Helmut Schmidt.
“Today a great politician left us; through his life he contributed significantly to the creation of the EU and to the establishment of peace between East and West.
“The clear commitment to solidarity and the belief in a better future through an integrated Europe, have made Helmut Schmidt one of the leading politicians of European history. We will continue to defend and fight for his values."
Udo Bullmann, Head of the German S&D Delegation in the EP added:
“We mourn Helmut Schmidt. He was a great captain, who also lead the way for Europe.
“Even as elder statesman former German Chancellor Schmidt was a courageous and well-acknowledged interlocutor. An outstanding personality of German and International Social Democracy has left us. He was a great European who will be dearly missed."
Schmidt's 2011 speech is available here.
