Former European Parliament President Klaus Hänsch, a veteran German Social Democrat who led the institution from 1994 to 1997, has died at the age of 87.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola confirmed Hänsch’s death on Wednesday, paying tribute to his decades of service to the European project.
“His Parliament mourns the loss of a champion of Europe, who took office at a time of profound change for our continent, and who never stopped believing in the potential of this project,” Metsola said in a statement.
Metsola added that she had met Hänsch only a few weeks ago and praised his continued commitment to European civic engagement and young political leaders.
“At our last meeting just a few weeks ago, his unwavering optimism shone through as he described his ongoing efforts to promote civic engagement and nurture young European leaders. Europe will miss him. May he rest in peace,” she said.
Born in Germany, Hänsch was a member of the European Parliament from 1979 until 2009, making him one of the institution’s longest-serving members. He was elected president in 1994 and remained in the post until 1997.
His presidency came during a period of major transformation in Europe, following the end of the Cold War and amid the deepening integration of the European Union.
Throughout his political career, Hänsch was closely associated with the German Social Democratic Party and remained a strong advocate of European integration and parliamentary democracy.
His death marks the loss of one of the European Parliament’s longest-serving figures and a politician who spent three decades helping shape the institution’s role in the European project.
