European Parliament : Opening – Minute’s silence for Mário Soares

President Schulz called a minute's silence for the late Portuguese statesman Mário Soares, who died on 7 January. Mr Soares fought oppression and dictatorship to bring about Portugal's transition to democracy and accession to the European Community. It is our duty to honour and defend his political legacy, said Mr Schulz.

For Europe, Mr Soares was a prominent statesman, a visionary and pragmatic reformer and a staunch democrat. He was a member of the European Parliament's S&D group from 1999 to 2004, and chaired various parliamentary bodies.

In Portugal, Mr Soares stood for resistance to dictatorship and symbolised the struggle for democracy. As Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister and President of Portugal, he was a key figure in its transition to democracy and accession to the European Community.

Mr Schulz conveyed Parliament's deepest sympathy to Mr Soares' family, his friends and all those close to him.

Incoming/outgoing MEPs

Petar KURUMBASHEV (S&D, BG) replaces resigning member Iliana IOTOVA as of 17 January 2017

José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA (EPP, ES) replaced Pablo ZALBA BILDEGAIN as of 3 January 2017.

Jordi SOLÉ I FERRANDO (Greens/EFA, ES) replaced Ernest MARAGALL as of 3 January 2017.

Changing groups

Marco AFFRONTE (IT) left the EFDD group and joined the Greens/EFA group as of 11 January 2017.

Marco ZANNI (IT) left the EFDD group and joined the ENF group as of 11 January 2017.