One Million EU Citizens Say "One Seat for the European Parliament!"

11.16.34am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 28th Sep 2006

Sharon Bowles MEP with some of the trunks that have to travel with her from Brussels to Strasbourg and back again once a month

A petition calling for the European Parliament to have one seat in Brussels has reached its target of one million signatures and has been delivered by hand to the European Commission.

At present the European Parliament has two homes, one in Brussels and the other in Strasbourg. This used to be justified as Strasbourg is seen as a symbolic city, symbolising the reconciliation between France and Germany after the Second World War. However, in an expanding Union of now 450 million citizens and 25 member states, many, including South East MEP Sharon Bowles, believe that this is simply unjustifiable. The European Parliament packing up its offices in Brussels and heading to Strasbourg for just four days a month is currently costing the EU taxpayer €200 million a year!

Sharon Bowles said "It is truly absurd that all 732 of us, with our staff and trunks full of files have to make the trip from Brussels to Strasbourg. It is a total waste of taxpayers' money not to mention the environmental impact of the carbon emissions that the whole expedition must generate. There are perfectly good facilities in use in Brussels but we continue to be forced to move an extra 300 miles each month for absolutely no reason. This travelling circus has been going on for long enough, it is time to put it to rest!"

Launched in May, www.oneseat.eu continues to give all those outraged at the 'gravy train' the opportunity to give a clear and hard message to both the European Commission and national governments. Many now expect the Commission to apply pressure on the member states to change the current arrangements.

Mrs Bowles said "There need only be one seat in Brussels and we can now hope that this first citizens' initiative will end the travelling circus once and for all. I would urge everyone in the South East who has not yet signed the petition to make their protest heard and sign it today."

Notes to editors:-

For more information on the campaign, visit www.oneseat.eu

The European Commission has expressed its support for citizens' initiatives. The proposed constitutional treaty which it supports states that one million EU citizens can call for legal action from the Commission.

Article 47 on participatory democracy in the draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, which the European Commission supports states:-

"4. Not less than one million citizens who are nationals of a significant number of Member States may take the initiative of inviting the Commission, within the framework of its powers, to submit any appropriate proposal on matters where citizens consider that a legal act of the Union is required for the purpose of implementing the Constitution."