Seat of the European Parliament in Strasbourg
The city of Strasbourg in France is the official seat of the European Parliament. The institution is legally bound by the decision of Edinburgh European Council of 11 and 12 December 1992 and Article 341 of the TFEU to meet there twelve times a year for a session, each of which usually takes about four days. The majority of work, however, takes place in Brussels, and some other work is undertaken in Luxembourg City. Also all votes of the European Parliament must take place in Strasbourg. "Additional" sessions and committees take place in Brussels. Although de facto a majority of the Parliament's work is now geared to its Brussels site, it is legally bound to keep Strasbourg as its official home; a situation which garners much criticism from the European Parliament itself, as well as many interest groups, administrative staff, and environmentalist groups amongst others.
Plaque commemorating the inauguration of the Louise Weiss building of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 14 December 1999, by President of France, Jacques Chirac, and President of the European Parliament, Nicole Fontaine
Glass sculpture "United Earth" by Tomasz Urbanowicz, at the Agora of the Louise Weiss Building in Strasbourg
The hemicycle
From left to right: Louise Weiss, Winston Churchill, Pierre Pflimlin, Václav Havel (before the transformation, photo taken in 2008), and Council of Europe buildings
Strasbourg is the prefecture and largest city of the Grand Est region of eastern France. Located at the border with Germany in the historic region of Alsace, it is the prefecture of the Bas-Rhin department. It is the official seat of the European Parliament.
Image: Strasbourg Cathedral
Image: Absolute ponts couverts 02
Image: Strasbourg Palais Rohan depuis le quai des Bateliers
Image: Absolute Petite France 02