Left-wing French MP Emmanuel Duplessy wants to ban alcohol sales in the National Assembly bar, writes Politico.
According to a report obtained by Politico, Duplessy not only wants to end alcohol sales in the parliament bar, but also wants to ban alcohol from being included in the cost of MPs’ meals and drinks. He noted that selling alcohol in the workplace raises questions for many French people.
Duplessy is not the first parliamentarian to push for a sober politics.
In May, Green Party leader Cyrielle Chatelain suggested banning alcohol in parliament in the evenings.
Socialist MP Arthur Delaporte, who also heads the association that serves parliament’s catering facilities, said that prices at the bar have risen, but if lawmakers are prevented from deducting alcohol as an expense, the same should apply to others. This, according to Delaporte, could cause a stir among lawyers.
In 2024, alcohol sales in the lower house of parliament brought in a profit of 100,000 euros, even despite the three-month break due to the dissolution of parliament. French parliamentarians would not be the only ones who have to do without alcoholic beverages – the Belgian federal parliament’s café has not been allowed to sell wine and beer since May.
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