Strasbourg let off over rip off

02 October 2006

The European Parliament has closed the book on the Strasbourg overcharging scandal in customary fashion – with the mildest possible slap on the wrist.  The city authorities, who ripped off the European taxpayer to the tune of €80 million in hiked-up rents, have been told not to be so “discourteous” in the future.  No other sanctions will apply, writes Stephen Gardner. What's more, the Parliament has decided the best way to avoid future rip-offs is to buy the buildings it has been renting for a quarter of a century at inflated prices, thus shovelling another €143 million Strasbourg's way. This is against the backdrop of growing pressure to stop the Parliament's monthly perambulation to Strasbourg.  Criticism of the second seat, costing €200 million annually, has been going on for years, but now Brussels might be forced to open a debate on the issue.  An anti-Strasbourg petition launched by Swedish MEPs has collected its millionth signature, and even some commissioners are openly worrying about the damage Strasbourg does to the EU's credibility. So by the time the Parliament's real estate purchase goes through, Strasbourg might have been abandoned, leaving European taxpayers with €143 million worth of white elephants – and no doubt further bills as the new owners try to offload the buildings. A version of this article originally appeared in Private Eye.

 

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