ALDE-PACE President Jacques Maire expressed condolences following the passing of ALDE Party President Hans van Baalen:
“We are deeply grieved by the news of the passing of Hans van Baalen.
As a newcomer to the liberal family, I was impressed by his kind welcome and his openness. Many colleagues in the group have known and worked with Hans for long years. He will be remembered in ALDE-PACE as a man of character and a skilful politician with a clear vision and a liberal heart.
The last time we had the honour and the pleasure to welcome Hans was in October 2020, when he addressed our group through a videoconference. We greatly appreciated his input in our discussions on human rights and democracy in Europe. We agreed then that we shall see each other again in real life as soon as sanitary conditions would allow it. Sadly, this will never be done…
I would like to convey our deepest sympathy to Hans’s family and the ALDE Party.”
ALDE Party: Hans van Baalen in memoriam