Artikel publicerad i The New Federalist, juni 2006
A fight worth taking
The issue of the seat of the European Parliament (EP) has over the years showed to be a delicate one with a lot of emotions involved. Isn’t fair that the Members of the EP themselves decide on where they want to hold their meetings? The Citizens Initiative
www.oneseat.eu launched by a number of European Parliamentarians and has by now gathered more than 300 000 signatures to put and end to the commuting for the EP. That show how important this issue is to the European citizens. I meet, every week, in the EP, groups from all over Europe and the only thing, if any, everyone knows of EU is the travelling circus the EP has every month when they move to the second seat in Strasbourg for 4 days. This discredits the EP entirely and in public opinion, the EP is held responsible even if it’s not, it’s the heads of state. We can talk all we like about White Papers and Communication Strategies but when this issue is the only thing people know about the EU. It’s a waste of time.
The EP is the only democratically elected parliament in the world that is not allowed to take a vote on where they actually want to have their and plenary sessions. For democrats like the European Federalists this should be a fight worth taking in order to have efficient and accountable lawmaking on European level. Most people recognise the efficiency loss (and the waste of money) of not having the important institutions in the same place. While identifying the symbolic value of Strasbourg as a location for some of the EP's sessions most agree that the EU should pick one city as the location of its parliament. A cross European poll made in the beginning on May 68% of respondents believe the European Parliament should have just one seat - and 76% of those believe that seat should be in Brussels. There are a number of proposals what the buildings in Strasbourg could be used for and to also recognise the historic value of Strasbourg as symbol of European integration. For example, establish a Strasbourg Institute of Technology is one of them. Some think the seat of the EP should solely be based in Strasbourg. The problem would though remain, not having the institutions in the same place. The EP has fought its way to spend most of its time in Brussels, and that for a reason. Sending the EP to Strasbourg is more than a money issue: it’s about keeping the EP weak and unimportant. Take for example the foreign policymaking of the Council. Formally there is no need for them to consult the EP but in Brussels the EP can demand their presence and they can come over because they are just around the block. The EP´s job is also to scrutinise the commission and the council and being in the same place is therefore very important. The travelling circus symbolises all that is worst about how decisions are made in the EU; and it shows absolute contempt for the citizens', their elected representatives and any pretence at democracy at the European level. That is why this campaign is important.
Anders Ekberg
Head of office
The Swedish liberals in the EP
Sign up you too at
www.oneseat.eu