In memoriam Anna Záborská (1948 – 2025)

Dr Anna Záborská, Acting Vice‑President of the International Pan‑European Union and President of the Pan‑European Union of Slovakia, passed away on Wednesday, 20 August 2025.

The funeral, attended by close family, took place on Saturday, 23 August 2025, in Bojnice, a historic town situated on the banks of the Nitra River in western Slovakia. She was laid to rest in the family tomb alongside her father, Dr Anton Neuwirth—one of the founders and President of the Pan‑European Union in Slovakia from 1992 to 1998. Mourners included her husband, architect Vladimír Záborský, their daughters, grandchildren, sister, and brothers.

A memorial Mass, organised by the Slovak Bishops’ Conference, was held on Monday, 25 August 2025, at St Martin’s Cathedral in Bratislava. Celebrated by numerous priests and attended by family members and admirers, it was led by Archbishop Monsignor Stanislav Zvolenský. Among other distinguished guests, the commemorative service was attended by the President of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, Mr Richard Raši.

Representing the International Pan‑European Union were President Pavo Barišić with his wife Karmela, and Presidency member Mislav Ježić.

Dr Záborská was a physician by vocation. She entered politics in the 1990s following Slovakia’s democratic transformations. She made a lasting contribution to parliamentary democracy, European unity, and the promotion of Christian principles. Noble and honourable, she possessed great spiritual strength, a warm and modest nature, and selfless dedication to others—sustained by unwavering Christian hope and faith in eternal justice. She exemplified that politics can remain faithful to noble ideals and Pan‑European aspirations. She championed Christian and Pan‑European values, advocating for a fairer, more peaceful order in Slovakia, Europe, and the world.

Born on 7 June 1948 in Zürich—while her father, Dr Anton Neuwirth (1921–2004), a physician, politician, diplomat, presidential candidate, and the first Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to the Holy See, pursued postgraduate studies under Nobel laureate Paul Karrer—she graduated in medicine in 1972 from Comenius University in Martin, Slovakia. She practised medicine from 1972 to 1998 in Žilina, Prievidza, and Béjaïa in Algeria.

In 1998, she was elected to the Slovak National Council, serving until 2004 as a member of the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), including as Vice‑Chairperson for International Affairs (1999–2000). She took part in the EU–Slovakia Joint Parliamentary Committee preparing for EU accession. From 2019 to 2024, she was President of the newly founded Christian Union, and was re‑elected to the National Council in 2020, serving until her passing.

She was a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 2004 to 2019. Beginning as an observer in 2003, she was subsequently elected MEP for three terms. In her first term (2004–2009), she chaired the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality. She served on multiple committees and was rapporteur on key issues such as women and poverty (2005), gender mainstreaming (2006, 2009), and intergenerational solidarity (2008). A consistent pro‑life advocate, she participated in Marches for Life in Washington (2011) and Košice (2013). In 2020, she submitted an Act on Assistance to Pregnant Women to the National Council of the Slovak Republic.

Since the 1990s, Anna Záborská had been active in the Pan‑European Union Slovakia. Under President Ján Figeľ, the former EU Commissioner for Education, Culture and Youth, she was Vice-President. She was then elected president, a position she held until the end of her life. In December 2009, she was elected to the Presidency Council of the International Pan‑European Union at the General Assembly in Strasbourg, and was re‑elected in 2015, 2020, and 2025.

Dr Anna Záborská’s leadership as Acting Vice‑President of the International Pan‑European Union and long‑time head of its Slovak branch has left a lasting legacy in Europe’s founding unification movement. Her exceptional character forged a deep, enduring imprint on the hearts of the Pan‑European community, which is very grateful for her commitment to Pan-European values, Christian charity and responsibility for the common good.

Pavo Barišić