Petition No 1156/2019 by Nico Semsrott (German) on renaming the European Parliament Plenary Room in Brussels and establishing the European Parliament’s single seat in Brussels

1156/2019

Summary title: Petition No 1156/2019 by Nico Semsrott (German) on renaming the European Parliament Plenary Room in Brussels and establishing the European Parliament’s single seat in Brussels

Petition number: 1156/2019

Topics: Constitutional Affairs,  Institutions,  Environment - Pollution

Country: France,  Belgium,  Luxembourg,  European Union

Name: European Parliament

The petitioner describes how the European Parliament in the fifties started up its activity in Strasbourg, using the building of the Council of Europe, but then later decided to have its own house in Brussels. However, travelling between Brussels and Strasbourg continued, as Member States agreed, and enshrined in the Treaties (Protocol No 6), that “The European Parliament shall have its seat in Strasbourg where the 12 periods of monthly plenary sessions, including the budget session, shall be held. The periods of additional plenary sessions shall be held in Brussels [...]”. The petitioner refers to different initiatives taken by the Members in view of setting a single seat in Brussels. The petitioner highlights that the situation of the European Parliament is particular, as it is not allowed to decide on the location of its own seat. As a solution, the petitioner suggests to rename the Brussels Plenary hall in Brussels into “STRASBOURG”, so that, meeting in Brussels, the European Parliament still meets in “Strasbourg”, in line with the legal text. The petitioner therefore suggests renaming the Brussels Plenary Hall, and highlights the cost- and environmental savings that would generate.