One million sign petition against dual EP seats
EU citizens from across the 25 member states of the EU have signalled their opposition to the European Parliament conducting its business in two different locations, Brussels and Strasbourg, with more than one million people signing a petition calling...
EU citizens from across the 25 member states of the EU have signalled their opposition to the European Parliament conducting its business in two different locations, Brussels and Strasbourg, with more than one million people signing a petition calling on the EU to stop this "waste of money".
The Campaign for Parliament Reform (CPR), made up of various MEPs opposing the continuation of the use of Strasbourg, yesterday announced that their on-line petition has now reached the one million mark and called upon the EU to act immediately upon the citizens' request.
"One million European citizens have spoken out against the waste of over €200 million a year on the European Parliament seat in Strasbourg. For the first time, citizens from across Europe are giving a signal as to what they see as important for effective governance in the European Institutions: efficiency, accountability and transparency," German Liberal MEP Alexander Alvaro said when addressing the press in Brussels.
Mr Alvaro said that the dispersion of Parliament's activities between different working places has a negative impact on time and cost effectiveness and the overall image of the European Union.
"This waste of taxpayers' money is destroying public opinion and Strasbourg has come to be seen as the symbol of the EU's gravy train image," he stressed.
The European Parliament currently holds its monthly week-long plenary sessions in Strasbourg, France, while its normal day-to-day meetings, such as committees, political group meetings and its administration, are based in Brussels.
Although many are critical of this practice, the use of Strasbourg as a seat for Parliament's plenary sessions is entrenched in the EU treaties and only a unanimous decision by all the 25 member states can change the situation. France openly opposes any such change to the treaty.
The petition has its roots in Article 47 on participatory democracy in the proposed constitution for the European Union which is not yet ratified following the negative referenda in France and the Netherlands.