European Parliament cancels Strasbourg session due to coronavirus outbreak – POLITICO
The European Parliament has canceled plans to return to Strasbourg next week due to the resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I regret to announce that next week’s plenary will not take place in Strasbourg, but will be held remotely”, tweeted The President of Parliament, David Sassoli, Thursday, in Italian. “The situation in France and Belgium is very serious. Traveling is dangerous.”
But Sassoli added that “Strasbourg remains the seat of Parliament and we will do everything possible to return”.
The European Parliament canceled its previous plans to return to Strasbourg in September and early October, after the French city and its surroundings were designated coronavirus red zones by authorities. The move angered French politicians, including President Emmanuel Macron.
Thursday, Clément Beaune, French Minister for European Affairs, tweeted that the health situation was serious “everywhere in Europe” and that Strasbourg “is able to host sessions of Parliament”.
“France will not give up its fight for a quick return to the sessions in Strasbourg,” added Beaune.
Anne Sander, a French MEP from the centre-right European People’s Party, said she had asked parliament to offer “compensation” and “help” to local businesses “who are completely dependent on our work”.
Next week’s plenary session will take place remotely “with a revised/reduced agenda and a very limited number of speakers”, according to an internal memo sent to MPs and seen by POLITICO. MPs who decide to stay in their home countries next week will be invited to deliver their speeches in plenary from the local Parliament information office.
A growing number of senior EU officials – including Sassoli himself – have recently been forced into self-quarantine after coming into contact with people who tested positive for coronavirus.
Manfred Weber, chairman of the European People’s Party in parliament, has become the latest politician to announce he will self-isolate, tweeting this morning: “Dear friends, I have been informed that I have been in contact with a person who is positive for #COVID19. Following the established rules, I am isolating myself while waiting for a first test result. Stay safe everyone.