The President of the European Parliament has taken the decision. The September plenary session, which was due to take place again in Strasbourg in the event of a backlash from the Covid-19 pandemic, will finally take place in Brussels, said David Sassoli on Tuesday 8 September.
“The plenary session of the European Parliament from 14 to 17 September will take place in Brussels”, he said in a statement. He also added, “We have done everything to resume the normal course of our plenary sessions in Strasbourg. However, the resurgence of the pandemic in many Member States and the decisions taken by the French authorities [on Monday] to classify the entire Lower Rhine department as a red zone, obliges us to reconsider the move to Strasbourg. While we are very disappointed about this decision, we have to consider that the transfer of the administration of the European Parliament would entail quarantine for all staff upon their return to Brussels”.
“The Parliament President assures that “the European Parliament’s wish is to return to Strasbourg”, notably because holding plenary sessions in Strasbourg is “a written obligation in the Treaties”.
Taking “note with regret” of Parliament’s decision, French Secretary of State for European Affairs Clément Beaune and the Mayor of Strasbourg Jeanne Barseghian recalled in a statement that “France is deeply attached to the seat of the European Parliament and calls for a very rapid return of plenary sessions to Strasbourg, in accordance with the Treaties”. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)