European Parliament’s AC breaks down during heat wave

By Max Griera | 07/02/2025 12:32 PM EDT

“I know they want to make us sweat over our political positions, but isn’t this ridiculous?” said a European Conservatives and Reformists spokesperson.

A visitor walks past the Paul-Henri Spaak building in Brussels.

The Paul-Henri Spaak building in Brussels is set for a €440 million renovation starting in 2027, which will take about five years. Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images

The European Parliament is getting hot and sweaty, and it’s not because of the upcoming EU budget negotiations.

The air-conditioning system in Zone C of the Paul-Henri Spaak building in Brussels, home to staff from the Greens, the liberals of Renew Europe, and the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists, has malfunctioned.

The affected parties appear to be taking it in good humor, at least.

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“It hasn’t been this overheated since [European Commission President Ursula] von der Leyen cut the green claims stuff!” quipped a Renew spokesperson, referring to last week’s political turmoil over the Commission’s mixed messaging on whether it would kill an anti-greenwashing bill.

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