THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

Speak Up

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Parliament has decided for the second time this month to avoid its costly commute from Brussels to Strasbourg.

But the decision is prompting complaints from the French city where officials are battling to keep their lucrative position as host.

Many legislators were secretly relieved when part of the ceiling at the parliament building in Strasbourg fell in last month because it saves them a 500-kilometre commute.

The EU Parliament met in Brussels this week while repair work was carried out and plans to stay there for the legislative session starting Sept. 22.

EU parliamentarians have long asked that the assembly be based permanently in Brussels.

Shifting the chamber between the two cities costs taxpayers over C$300 million every year.

France is adamant the EU legislative body keep its official headquarters in Strasbourg, even though EU legislators spend most of their time at the Parliament's second base in Brussels, where most EU meetings are held.

Still, Strasbourg's mayor is worried the current absence will fuel moves to abandon his town.

"(I am) "extremely worried by the impact of the cancellation on the local economy," Roland Ries said.

The Parliament takes on 170 extra staff in Strasbourg during the weeklong sessions. In addition, hotels and restaurants depend on the flood of politicians, journalists and lobbyists for the 12 meetings that must be held there each year.

However, the imposing C$700-million parliament building in Strasbourg generally stands empty more than 300 days.

That has prompted more than a million people to signed a petition demanding the EU parliament be based in one place, citing the costs.