Policy Focus

More tributes for longest-serving MEP

More MEP tributes have been made to Jens-Peter Bonde,parliament’s longest-serving deputy, who quits the assemblytoday.

Leading the tributes was German Socialist deputy Klaus Hänsch who,like Bonde, is one of six other deputies elected in 1979.

He told this website, “It could be said that when it comes toEurope we have rarely agreed, but Bonde has always been a finecolleague.”

Another veteran, German centre-right member Karl von Wogau, who wasalso elected in parliament’s first direct elections, said, “Thoughwe often disagreed, he has been a valued member and goodfriend.”

Nigel Farage, co-leader of the Independence/Democracy (ID) group,described Bonde’s retirement as “the end of an era” and praised himfor his “tenacity and commitment”.

Austrian non-attached member Hans-Peter Martin said, “He representsthe views of the majority of voters in Europe.”

Dutch ID member Johannes Blokland said Bonde had been “highlyinfluential” during his 29 years as an MEP.

Bonde, who is returning to his native Denmark, is credited withbeing the architect behind the Danish no to the Maastricht treatyin 1992.

The MEPs were among guests attending a reception in parliament onWednesday to mark Bonde’s retirement.

Meanwhile, Bonde has hit back at remarks by parliament’s presidentHans-Gert Pöttering that the Dane had claimed that if the Lisbontreaty comes into effect it will make obtaining abortion easier inIreland.

The German MEP’s comments come as Ireland prepares to go to thepolls on 12 June to vote on the treaty.

Responding to the criticism, Bonde said, “I have never made such aclaim. Indeed, I have sent the president a transcript of my speechto prove it.”

Bonde, who spoke on lobbying in his last speech in parliament, willbe replaced by 37-year-old Hanne Dahl.