A group of MEPs have called on the European Parliament to suspend sessions in Strasbourg to save fuel and cut costs at a time when the war in Iran has caused an energy crisis.
The call follows a call by the European Commission to think about saving energy resources. The letter, signed by 42 of the 720 MEPs, calls for setting an example and temporarily suspending regular trips between Brussels and Strasbourg. Among the signatories were Lithuanian MEPs Petras Gražulis and Aurelijus Veryga. Veryga said that the European Union institutions should also refrain from doing anything if they are calling on citizens to cut back on spending.
Currently, all EP lawmakers and their staff travel to Strasbourg for plenary sessions at least 12 times a year, usually for four days. The rest of the time, parliament’s work takes place in Brussels. Critics of the proposal have pointed out that while the idea is sound in principle, it is not feasible under EU law. Lithuanian MEP Virginijus Sinkevičius did not sign the petition, saying that the two-seat system is enshrined in the EU treaties and can only be changed with the agreement of all member states. He added that abandoning plenary sessions in Strasbourg would require treaty changes, and France would never agree to that.
The EU’s founding treaties stipulate that at least 12 plenary sessions must be held in Strasbourg each year.
Some MEPs have suggested that an exception could be made, given the circumstances.
During the pandemic, the EP temporarily stopped travelling to Strasbourg, and sessions were held only in Brussels. Verīga said that this approach was therefore possible.
Meanwhile, another Lithuanian MEP, Paulius Saudargas, said that such exceptions needed a clear legal basis. He stressed that if the situation were extreme, such as a serious energy shortage, it could be considered, but that there were currently no such circumstances.
The monthly commute affects MEPs, assistants, translators and other staff who travel to Strasbourg by car, train or plane. It is estimated that the entire logistics cost around 114 million euros a year. There have been previous attempts to reduce the number of sessions in Strasbourg, but this has not been successful. In 2012, France successfully challenged the EP’s attempts to shorten Strasbourg sessions by filing a case with the EU Court of Justice.
Read the full article in English here: https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2912124/eu-lawmakers-urge-end-to-strasbourg-sessions-amid-energy-saving-push
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