A cross-party group of four Dutch MEPs has written to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, calling for an immediate temporary end to the monthly relocation of plenary sessions from Brussels to Strasbourg.
The MEPs argue that the costly and fuel-intensive move of thousands of people, documents and equipment between the two cities, which they label a “circus”, should be halted until the energy situation linked to tensions in the Middle East normalises.
They say the European institutions must lead by example on energy savings at a time when citizens and member states are being asked to cut consumption.
The letter, seen by Brussels Signal today, was signed by Anja Hazekamp of The Left Group, Bert-Jan Ruissen and Sander Smit, both of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), and Sebastian Kruis of the Patriots for Europe (PfE).
In the letter, the MEPs state that if the European Union is urging countries and citizens to save energy immediately, including through discussions in Brussels about measures such as car-free Sundays, then the EP itself must take concrete action.
The Dutch MEPs note: “In a letter addressed to all EU Energy Ministers, the Commission urged EU countries to ensure good co-ordination, as well as to consider fuel-saving measures, with particular attention to the transport sector.”
In this, the EC refers to a 10-point plan from the International Energy Agency (IEA), whose first recommendation is aimed at reducing commuter traffic, particularly where jobs are suitable for remote work.
“When member states and EU citizens are called upon by EU institutions to take immediate action to save energy, it is appropriate that the EU institutions lead by example and contribute a fair share to save energy,” they note.
“One of the immediate actions that can be taken by the European Parliament is to halt the monthly travel to Strasbourg, and organise our plenary sessions in Brussels instead.
“Avoiding the monthly travel to Strasbourg of approximately 4,000 people, including MEPs and staff, would lead to immediate and necessary energy savings,” the MEPs write.
They compare the current situation to the coronavirus pandemic, when sessions were held exclusively in Brussels as a case of force majeure.
“We call on you, as President of the European Parliament, to show EU citizens that we take our responsibility in contributing to immediate energy savings by relocating all plenary sessions of the European Parliament to Brussels until the situation has normalised.”
The next Strasbourg plenary is scheduled to begin on April 27.
The EP’s dual seat is fixed by the EU treaties, with one seat in Strasbourg required by protocol.
Critics have long described the monthly relocation as expensive, environmentally damaging and inefficient.
Estimates of the annual cost vary, but a 2014 study of the European Court of Auditors put the amount north of €114 million at the time, involving lorries, high-speed trains, flights and significant staff time.
Previous attempts to end the arrangement have failed due to opposition, particularly from France, which views the Strasbourg seat as symbolically important.
