Brussels, 16/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 16 January, MEPs voted in Strasbourg on a new calendar with 12 plenary sessions in Strasbourg, in line with the decision of the Court of Justice.
In its judgment of 13 December, the Court annulled the Parliament's vote of 9 March 2011 on the calendar of sessions for 2012 and 2013, in a case brought by the French Republic and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. According to the Court judgment, “12 ordinary plenary part-sessions” must be of equal duration. The Court stated that only the member states have the legal power to change the seat of the institutions.
The approved calendar of sessions for 2013 is: - 14-17 January; - 4-7 February; - 11-14 March; - 15-18 April; - 20-23 May; - 10-13 June; - 1-4 July; - 9-12 September; - 7-10 October; - 21-24 October; - 18-21 November; - 9-12 December. The calendar was approved by 494 votes to 147, with 50 abstentions. (LC/transl.fl)