Flurry of protests to the presidency of the European Parliament over the daily allowance With the daily allowance – about 323 euros suspended for Covid. As reported by theHuffpost, in fact, there are those who put it on the “damage caused to the only elected institution“Of the EU but also those who point out that”having taken home in Brussels“And therefore cannot”lose the daily allowance“. Due to the high number of infections in Belgium, over 15 thousand, President David Sassoli has decided to close the registry office. In fact, the European Parliament works remotely and registering attendance in the classroom makes no sense, given that the daily allowance, in fact, is nothing more than the daily allowance due to employees or officials, by way of reimbursement of travel expenses. and residence, when they are ordered to carry out their activities outside the office. If the MEPs do not go to Brussels physically and work from home they are not entitled to a daily allowance. Simple.
Protests from MEPs: “We have to pay the costs”
For many MEPs, however, Sassoli’s decision needs to be reviewed. And immediately: “Please consider having us registered via the internet or in a ‘covid-free’ office where gatherings would be prohibited – emphasizes the Greek Ioannis Lagos, leader of Golden Dawn-. “It is not right that we are deprived of the daily allowances we own“. According to the Finnish Nils Torvalds (Renew Europe), “many of us have taken up residence in Brussels on a contract of one or even three years. When we come to Brussels we need to make sure we get the allowance for the days we are in the city, for good reason“. In short, it seems that MEPs cannot live without their daily allowance: how to take them off the oxygen.
However, not all, to be honest, look at the wallet and at the mere personal advantage. There are also those who protest for more than understandable and legitimate reasons, such as Markus Ferber, EPP German: “As President of the European Parliament, you should work to make our work possible and not to hinder it. A Parliament that is closed by decision of its highest representative loses its legitimacy”He writes.
Covid, alarming situation in Belgium
The closure of the registry office is dictated by the growth of infections. Given the contagion situation in Belgium, as the agency reports Adnkronos, starting from Monday and until next 13 December non-essential shops will be closed, smart working will be mandatory where possible and borders will remain open but travel will be strongly discouraged. The decision was taken by the Conciliation Committee chaired by the Prime Minister. In the week from 20 to 26 October, the average daily infections was 15,316 positive every 24 hours, an increase of 38% compared to the previous week. On the other hand, deaths were 79.4 on average, up 43.9% compared to the previous seven days. Furthermore, the number of patients admitted to hospitals in Belgium (5,924) is higher than during the first wave of the pandemic (5,759 was the record reached on 6 April) while virologists explain that if more severe measures are not adopted, the point saturation of 2 thousand patients in intensive care will be reached on 6 November.
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