Strife over Strasbourg

Date: 05/06/1997

Strasbourg has suffered something of a public relations disaster in its continuing tussle with Brussels over which city should be the permanent seat of the European Parliament. (Yes, Entre Nous knows that Strasbourg was chosen by EU leaders in 1992, but that hasn't calmed things down one bit.)

It seems that some MEPs were left standing on the Tarmac in London at the start of last month's plenary session because the Strasbourg-bound plane was too small.

Among those left behind were Tory Group leader Tom Spencer and Socialist boss Pauline Green. Apparently, Spanish and Greek MEPs have also been complaining about the service to Strasbourg provided by Air Inter.

But things were not much better last month for those who did manage to arrive, according to German Green MEP Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz. It seems there were so many visitors to the Parliament on the Tuesday of the plenary that staff were turned away from restaurants. The bureau has been asked to prevent a repetition.

Meanwhile, Dutch Liberal MEP Doeke Eisma has complained about the Belgian railways' service to Strasbourg, particularly the lack of a restaurant car.

Entre Nous predicts a new drive by Strasbourg's mayor to boost her city's fading magic.