The German satirist turned MEP insisted one of the European Union treaties offers a solution to put an end to the annual waste of taxpayers’ money on moving between the two seats. The European Parliament currently has two headquarters, one in Strasbourg, France, and one in Brussels, Belgium – causing MEPs, their assistants, and equipment to move back and forth each month. But Nico Semsrott claimed to have found a loophole to avoid the wasteful spending each year.
Speaking to Euronews, Mr Semsrott said: “There have been all sorts of attempts to abolish the second seat but all in vain.
“But we just needed to find a loophole or a trick and we found one.”
The German MEP suggested the issue could be easily resolved by renaming the parliamentary chamber in Brussels after the second seat.
He continued: “The Treaty of Amsterdam sets Strasbourg as the seat of the Parliament but did not specify the city of Strasbourg.
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“So we no longer need to go to the city of Strasbourg.”
The Treaty of Amsterdam signed in 1997 established the French city as the official seat of the European Parliament after Brussels was chosen to host both the European Commission and the European Council.
However, while the text states the monthly plenaries should take place in Strasbourg, the sittings of parliamentary committees should meet in Brussels.
The treaty said: “The European Parliament shall have its seat in Strasbourg where the 12 periods of monthly plenary sessions, including the budget session, shall be held.
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France is believed to be one of the main obstacles opposing the removal of the French headquarter, with Camino Mortera-Marinez from the Centre of European Reform saying: “The biggest obstacle is the French government.
“Strasbourg is a major symbol for the European Union. It’s a town that has been French and German alternatively, where many compromises have been found over the years.”
And European Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans said in May: “If you want the French to change that position, you have to pay a price.
“France needs to agree to give it up, and France doesn’t.”
Despite claims of wastefulness, European People’s Party parliamentary leader Manfred Weber insisted the double seats are a “symbol of the Franco-German reconciliation, of peace after decades of war.”