Deputies and bag carriers protest, skip the session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg

After days of uncertainty about the fate of the plenary session of the European Parliament scheduled for mid-September in Strasbourg, the reversion of the European Parliament that so many expected has arrived. The scheduled meeting “from 14 to 17 September will take place in Brussels”, concludes the statement laconically issued by the Bureau of David sassoli, at the end of the umpteenth day of controversy. The latest news about the coronavirus pandemic changed the opinion of the Italian politician on the need to hold the meeting in France, where “the headquarters of the European Parliament” is located according to the EU Treaties.

Yesterday, as Sassoli himself recalled, the French authorities decided “to classify the entire department of the Lower Rhine as a red zone”. A measure on which a tamtam of protest was unleashed on social networks and in the corridors of the European Parliament in Brussels, where all the ordinary activities of the European Parliament are based, from the work of the parliamentary committees to the meetings of political groups . Many have questioned the legal consequences of the definition of a “red zone”. The rules would impose quarantine for those returning from areas at risk, but not for those who go there for “essential reasons.” Certainly, parliamentary activity falls within this exception, but not that of parliamentary staff and all the people who accompany them, from pockets to journalists.

Hence the painful decision communicated by Sassoli to reconvene the Plenary in Brussels. “We are very bitter,” confesses the PD politician. “We are living a difficult time and I appreciate all the collaboration, availability and skills shown by the City of Strasbourg, the health authorities and the Government,” writes the president of the European Parliament. No more than four days ago, the city administration of the Alsatian capital was intervened directly to ensure that we are ready to receive the plenary in absolute safety. “The City of Strasbourg and all local actors implement current health protocols and are able to guarantee optimal health security conditions,” reads the municipality’s commune. An appeal that did not achieve the desired effect.