A cross-party group of lawmakers wants the European Parliament to scrap its monthly trek to Strasbourg, France, as long as the energy crisis persists.
In letters obtained by POLITICO, members of The Left group and the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) argue the institution should practice what the EU preaches and avoid spending fuel on nonessential travel amid conflict in the Middle East.
“When Member States and EU citizens are called upon by EU institutions to take immediate actions to save energy, it is appropriate that the EU institutions lead by example and contribute a fair share to save energy,” Dutch lawmaker Anja Hazekamp of The Left and a mix of MEPs from other groups wrote in a letter to Parliament President Roberta Metsola dated April 17.
Moving roughly 4,000 lawmakers and staff each month undermines that message, she argued, pointing to the European Commission’s recent guidance to curb transport demand and work remotely where possible.
