Opening: minute’s silence for victims of Germanwings air crash and Tunis attacks

The FINANCIAL — The session opened with a minute’s silence for victims of the Germanwings air crash in the French Alps on 24 March and the terrorist attack on Tunisia’s Bardo museum on 18 March. President Schulz conveyed Parliament’s deepest sympathy to their families and friends.

Mr Schulz noted that the 150 crash victims included the aircrew of six, and sixteen school pupils on their way home to Haltern, North Rhine Westphalia, after an exchange trip to Spain. The whole town is traumatized by the loss, he said.

He also conveyed Parliament’s condolences to the families and friends of victims of the 18 March terrorist attack on Tunisia’s Bardo museum (Tunis). These attacks bore witness to the rise of fanatical fundamentalism, he said.