The European Parliament opened today its first plenary session in Strasbourg since the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic, after more than 15 months, although with a smaller number of deputies, but the move is considered a success for France, which fought for that city to remain the seat of the EP together with Brussels .
"This is a very important day for the European Parliament. After more than 15 months, we returned to our headquarters in Strasbourg," said the President of the European Parliament, Italian David Sasoli, in French.
"This return is a sign of trust and hope for everyone," he added to the applause of about a dozen MEPs, mostly French.
"Strasbourg, a symbol of European unity, peace and diversity, is today again a symbol of renewal," Sasoli said at the session, which was also attended by the mayor of Strasbourg, Jean Barsegian.
No session of the European Parliament has been held in Strasbourg since February 2020, when Alsace was first hit by the pandemic.
The return is in the form of a hybrid session, as 705 MEPs could choose to come to Strasbourg or vote remotely from their country, which a large number of them opted for.
Although the hybrid sessions have been held from Brussels for several months, the French authorities strongly insisted that the sessions be returned to Strasbourg.
"Today is the return to Strasbourg for the European Parliament, and it's a good feeling," French Secretary of State for European Affairs Clement Bon wrote on Twitter.
As a symbol of Franco-German reconciliation, the capital of Alsace is the official seat of the European Parliament, which is written into the European treaties. However, in practice, even before covid-19, MEPs came there three and a half days a month for plenary sessions. The rest of the time, parliamentarians worked in Brussels, where other European institutions are located. There has been controversy over those monthly transfers between Brussels and Strasbourg for years.
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