Tributes paid to senior Polish MEP killed in car crash

Leading Polish MEP Bronislaw Geremek, a pivotal figure in the fight to end Communist rule in Poland and one of the leading statesmen of the democratic era that followed, has died in a road accident.

The 76-year-old was killed in western Poland on Sunday.

In a lifetime of enormous achievement, Geremek's greatest contribution may have been as one of the leaders of the roundtable negotiations that helped pave the way for elections in 1989, which eventually brought the Solidarity movement to power, initiating a peaceful end to communist control of Poland.

MEPs from all parties were quick to pay tribute to the father-of-two, whose wife died in 2004.

They were led by parliament’s president Hans-Gert Pöttering, who said he was "profoundly moved" by the news, adding, “He was a person who dedicated his life in the service of his country.

"He was involved in the democratic opposition in the 1980s. After the fall of communism as a politician and foreign minister he played a crucial role in anchoring Poland in the Euro-Atlantic structures.

"In parliament we got to know him as a wise man of outstanding knowledge and as a great colleague. He was a true European and a great Polish patriot. This is a sad day for parliament."

ALDE leader Graham Watson said, "With the tragic departure of Bronislaw Geremek Poland loses one of its heroes, a tireless architect of its independence but also of the national reconciliation.

"Europe also loses one of its most ardent proponents, who by the power of his conviction helped enlargement become a political success. Europe mourns a symbol of its reunification.

"I am proud to have had such a man among the ranks of Liberals and Democrats in parliament and among my friends.

"A man of culture, who saw the coming together of peoples possible only through sharing and collaboration; a man whose faith was forged on the anvil of Europe’s 20th century dramas; a humanist who will serve as an example for generations to come.

"Even with the passage of time his memory will never be erased nor his marvellous and mischievous smile obscured."

Fellow ALDE MEP Janusz Onyszkiewicz said, “My immediate reaction is shock and a sense of tremendous loss. There is a common saying that nobody is irreplaceable, but he is.

"He was one of the most distinguished Polish politicians and a real statesman, the best Polish politician we have had for decades. He had an international standing that no one else could match, not only for Poland but for the European parliament. He was an extremely active and competent politician, a man who would not treat anybody as his enemy.

"He could hate another man’s opinion, but never hate him personally. He was very warm and would never really talk about himself or his past, though his past was fascinating and dramatic.

"He sacrificed his national ambition for Poland. He was critical in securing Polish independence. I watched him and how he handled the negotiations with the communists – his perseverance, competence, clarity and readiness to listen to the other side.

"He managed to achieve a deal that brought down communism. He was the main architect of the tremendous political change in Poland."

EPP-ED leader Joseph Daul said, "Geremek played a key role in the overthrow of communism in Poland. He was instrumental in bringing stability and prosperity to Poland as an MEP, as a government minister and as chairman of his political party, the Freedom Union."

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