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Espace Léopold (French)
Leopoldsruimte (Dutch)

Paul-Henri Spaak viewed from Leopold Park
Building
Type Parliament building
Architectural Style Postmodern
Location Brussels, Belgium
Owner Forum Leopold s. French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people Dutch ( is a West Germanic language spoken by around 24 million people 22 million of which are from the Netherlands, Belgium and Suriname Parc Léopold ( French) or Leopoldspark ( Dutch) is a public park located within the Leopold Quarter and European Quarter of Brussels This is a list of buildings in which legislatures sit Australia Parliament House - Parliament of Australia consists of three components Brussels (Bruxelles pronounced; Brussel pronounced) officially the Brussels Capital-Region, is The Kingdom of Belgium is a Country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters as well as those a.
Current Tenants European Parliament
Coordinates 50°50′19″N 4°22′34″E / 50.838498, 4.376158 (Paul-Henri Spaak building)
Construction
Started 1989
Completed 1995 (opened 1993)
2008 (latest extension)
Floor Count 17
Design Team
Architect Atelier Espace Leopold
Other designers Michel Boucquillon

Espace Léopold (French, commonly used in English) or Leopoldsruimte (Dutch) is the complex of parliament buildings in Brussels (Belgium) housing the European Parliament, a legislative chamber of the European Union. The European Parliament ( Europarl or EP) is the only directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union (EU A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people Dutch ( is a West Germanic language spoken by around 24 million people 22 million of which are from the Netherlands, Belgium and Suriname This is a list of buildings in which legislatures sit Australia Parliament House - Parliament of Australia consists of three components Brussels (Bruxelles pronounced; Brussel pronounced) officially the Brussels Capital-Region, is The Kingdom of Belgium is a Country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters as well as those The European Parliament ( Europarl or EP) is the only directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union (EU A legislature is a type of representative Deliberative assembly with the power to create amend and change Laws The law created by a legislature is called Legislation The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in

It consists of the Paul-Henri Spaak building (which houses the debating chamber), the Altiero Spinelli building, two new buildings known as D4 and D5 and a newly refurbished building with was the former entrance to the Brussels-Luxembourg Station. The buildings are located in the European quarter in the east of Brussels, with building starting in 1989. Brussels ( Belgium) is considered to be the de facto Capital of the European Union, having a long history of hosting the Institutions

The complex is not the official seat of Parliament, which is the Immeuble Louise Weiss in Strasbourg, France, but as most of the other institutions of the European Union are in Brussels, Parliament built the Brussels complex in order to be closer to their activities. Strasbourg (Strasbourg stʁazbuʁ Alsatian: Strossburi,; Straßburg) is the capital and principal City of the Alsace région This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. There are currently five institutions of the European Union which govern the Union A majority of the Parliament's work is now geared to its Brussels site, but it is legally bound to keep Strasbourg as its official home.

Contents

History

Further information: Location of European Union institutions

Due to the failure of leaders to agree on a single seat, the Parliament desired full infrastructure in both Brussels and Strasbourg, where the parliament's official seat is located. Locations The Treaties of the European Union outline the locations of the following institutions The European Parliament has its seat in Strasbourg hosting Strasbourg (Strasbourg stʁazbuʁ Alsatian: Strossburi,; Straßburg) is the capital and principal City of the Alsace région In Brussels an international congress centre (unofficially intended as the Parliament) was built with the backing of the Generale Maatschappij/Société Générale and BACOB who joined forces on the project in 1987. The Société Générale de Belgique ( Dutch: Generale Maatschappij) was one of the largest companies that ever existed in Belgium. Dexia (,) is a Belgian - French Financial institution, also referred to as the Dexia Group specializing in Public finance. Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) The project was built on an old brewery and marshalling yard including the covering of the Luxembourg railway station to form a pedestrian area. [1]

Paul-Henri Spaak during the construction in the early 1990s
Paul-Henri Spaak during the construction in the early 1990s

The policy committees, inter-parliamentary delegations and the political groups all meet in the complex[2]. Consequently the secretariat of the committees (DG IPOL and DG EXPO) and the political groups are all situated there as well. The secretariat of the European Parliament is the administrative body of the European Parliament headed by a Secretary-General The secretariat of the European Parliament is the administrative body of the European Parliament headed by a Secretary-General The European Parliament is unique among supranational assemblies because it organizes itself around ideological rather than national groups

Following the completion of D4 and D5, it is believed the complex now provides enough space for Parliament for the next ten to fifteen years with no major new building projects foreseen. [3] Three quarters of Parliamentary activity now take place in Espace Léopold, rather than Strasbourg. [4]


Paul-Henri Spaak

The Paul-Henri Spaak building (PHS), named after former President Paul-Henri Spaak, houses the hemicycle for plenary sessions in that city, as well as a press centre and offices for the Parliament's President and senior Parliament staff. The President of the European Parliament presides over the debates and activities of the European Parliament. Paul Henri Charles Spaak (25 January 1899 - 31 July 1972 was a Belgian Socialist Politician and Statesman. The building juts from the main buildings out into Leopold Park surrounding the far side with trees. With its striking barrel-shaped glass roof, redolent of the Crystal Palace, the building known to locals as the “Caprice des Dieux” (whim of the gods), which is the name of a cheese with the same shape. The Crystal Palace was a cast-iron and Glass building originally erected in Hyde Park, London, England, to house the The building project started before 1988 with building work on the hemicycle and the north wing starting in 1989 and the south wing in 1992. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) [5] The hemicycle was extensively renovated in 2003 to create more seats and interpretation booths for the 2004 EU enlargement. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again "

Hemicycle

The hemicycle (debating chamber)
The hemicycle (debating chamber)

Members are arranged in a hemicycle according to their political groups who are ordered mainly by left to right, but some smaller groups are placed towards the outer ring of the Parliament. In Legislatures, a hemicycle is a term for a semicircular, or Horseshoe shaped debating chamber where deputies (members sit to discuss and All desks are equipped with microphones, headphones for translation and electronic voting equipment. The leaders of the groups sit on the front benches at the centre, and in the very centre is a podium for guest speakers. The remaining half of the circular chamber is primarily composed of the raised area where the President and staff sit. [6] Behind them there is an EU flag attached to the wall with national flags above it.

Translation booths are located behind them and along the sides of the chamber, while public galleries are located at the rear. Further benches are provided between the sides of the raised area and the MEPs, these are taken up by the Council on the far left and the Commission on the far right. [6] The chamber as a whole is of a wooden design, unlike the hemicycle in Strasbourg.

Altiero Spinelli

Enterance to the Altiero Spinelli building
Enterance to the Altiero Spinelli building

The Altiero Spinelli building (ASP), named after parliamentarian Altiero Spinelli, primarily houses the offices of MEPs and political groups. Altiero Spinelli ( 31 August 1907 &mdash 23 May 1986) was an Italian citizen and advocate of European federalism; sometimes It also houses shops cafeteria and the members' bar.

Construction started in 1991 and was competed in 1997. It is the largest building with 372,000m² of space and incorporates five high-rise towers, each up to 17 floors.

The building is to the west of Paul-Henri Spaak, connected via adjoining upper floors. To the buildings west, there are the new buildings (see below) which are connected to it across a pedestrian plaza by a circular glazed footbridge. To the north is the Bertha von Suttner building.

Willy Brandt and József Antall

Willy Brandt from the west, Konrad Adenauer bridge seen in front Willy Brandt from the west, Konrad Adenauer bridge seen in front
Willy Brandt from the west, Konrad Adenauer bridge seen in front
József Antall building from the east

The last phase of extensions has been towards Luxembourg square along Trierstraat and is due to be completed during 2008. [7][8] These buildings are the Willy Brandt (formerly D4) and József Antal (formerly D5) buildings which are connected to the Spinelli building by a circular glass walkway (called the Konrad Adenauer bridge). [9]

Between the Brandt and Antall buildings is the former building of the Brussels-Luxembourg station (originally called the Leopold Quarter Station) which has been turned into a public information office and venue for ad hoc exhibitions. The first such exhibition, on the history of buildings in the EU quarter of Brussels, was held in the summer of 2007.

The Brandt building began to be occupied in July 2007 by the external relations DG and far-right/eurosceptic MEPs. The new complex accommodates MEPs and the DG EXPO in 375 offices in Brandt and 5 conference rooms (with 25 translation booths) in Antall in addition to new press facilities. A Member of the European Parliament ( English abbreviation MEP) is a member of the European Union 's legislative body the European Parliament.

The complex will also include a Visitors' Centre on the ground floor, due to open in time for the 2009 European election. Elections to the European Parliament will be held from 4 June to 7 June 2009 in the 27 member states of the European Union, using varying election With 6,000 square metres it will be the largest Parliamentary visitors centre in the world, modelled on the Swedish and Danish centres, with a state-of-the-art interactive role play allowing visitors to simulate the work of an MEP in a mock hemicycle - debating and passing legislation. The current visitors centre was opened in the 1990s and is now too small to handle visitors. The new centre will include a cafeteria, shop, children's area and a "resource area" offering databases of detailed information. There will also be a permanent exhibition on the Parliament and Europe. [10]

Naming

Former entrance to the Leopold Quarter Station
Former entrance to the Leopold Quarter Station

At the death of Pope John Paul II, Polish MEPs tried to get the new buildings named after him. Pope [11] This was opposed by the socialists and greens who wanted someone who contributed to the Parliament and didn't conflict with the principles of secular government. With D4 completed and D5 almost completed in September 2007, the debate on names started again and is a very political issue. The bureau will decide upon the names, it is expected that at least one name will be someone from a new member state and one might be a woman. The Bureau of the European Parliament is responsible for matters relating to the budget administration organisation and staff Some MEPs have expressed a desire for a figure from a smaller political group, as the current names tend to be from the larger parties. [12]

A poll of MEPs came up with some suggestions, including Václav Havel, Nelson Mandela, Olof Palme, Margaret Thatcher and Jan Palach. Václav Havel, GCB, CC, ( (born October 5, 1936) is a Czech Playwright Writer and Politician Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (xolíɬaɬa mandéːla born 18 July 1918 is a former President of South Africa, the first to be elected in fully representative Sven Olof Joachim Palme ( ( 30 January 1927 – 28 February 1986) was a Swedish politician Margaret Hilda Thatcher Baroness Thatcher LG, OM, PC, FRS (born 13 October 1925 This article is about a person For the sword see Backsword. Jan Palach ( August 11, 1948 – January 19, 1969 One satirical suggestion was naming the two buildings the "Kaczyński Towers" after the Polish brothers Lech and Jarosław Kaczyński, the first currently President and the latter formerly Prime Minister (2006-07), who enjoy a frosty relationship with Brussels. ˈlɛx alɛˈksandɛr kaˈtʂɨɲskʲi (born 18 June 1949 is the President of the Republic of Poland a politician of the conservative party Prawo i Sprawiedliwość jaˈrɔswaf kaˈtʂɨɲski (born June 18, 1949) is a Polish politician who was Prime Minister Poland --> from July 2006 to November 2007 [13][14]

In January 2008 the bureau reached a final decision. The new buildings are to be named after Willy Brandt, the German chancellor from 1969 to 1974, and József Antall, the first elected Hungarian prime minister from 1990 to 1993. Willy Brandt, born Herbert Ernst Karl Frahm (18 December 1913 - 8 October 1992 was a German politician Chancellor of West Germany 1969&ndash1974 The Head of government of Germany is called Chancellor (Kanzler József Antall ( April 8 1932 - December 12 1993) was the first democratically-elected Prime minister of Hungary (from 23 List of Heads of Government of Hungary (1848-Present Hungarian Revolution of 1848 Prime Ministers Count Lajos Batthyány The bridge connecting the new building to the original structure is to be known as Konrad Adenauer bridge. Konrad Adenauer was the German chancellor from 1949 to 1963. Konrad Hermann Josef Adenauer ( 5 January 1876 – 19 April 1967 was a German Statesman. Meanwhile, the parliament's press room is to be named after the assassinated Russian journalist, Anna Politkovskaya. Anna Stepanovna Politkovskaya ( Анна Степановна Политковская) (30 August 1958 – 7 October 2006 was a Russian Journalist, author and [9]

Other buildings

Atrium I was completed in 2000 and hosts the DG IPOL and some political groups secretariats. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. The secretariat of the European Parliament is the administrative body of the European Parliament headed by a Secretary-General Atrium II was completed in 2004 and has more offices. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again "

The Remard building was rented from March 2004 for a period of 9 years, with the possibility of cancellation after 6 years for an annual rent of €1,387,205[15] and a number of buildings are rented on Rue Montoyerstraat; 'MOY72' houses all of the DG INFO and 'MTY 70' and 'MOY 63' other support services. Events in March American Red Cross Month Fire Prevention month ( The Philippines) Women's History Month ( United "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The secretariat of the European Parliament is the administrative body of the European Parliament headed by a Secretary-General (50°50′26″N 4°22′24″E / 50.840609, 4.373192 (Montoyer buildings))

Former Brussels buildings

Delors, formerly Belliard Delors, formerly Belliard
Delors, formerly Belliard
Bertha von Suttner

The entire European Parliament in Brussels used to be housed in the Belliard building, now called the Delors (RMD) building (after former President Jacques Delors). The President of the European Commission is the head of the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union. Jacques Lucien Jean Delors (born July 20 1925 in Paris) is a French Economist and politician the only person to have served two terms This building, and the Bertha von Suttner (ATR) buildings (after pacifist Bertha von Suttner) which is part of Espace Léopold, now house the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Bertha Felicitas Sophie Freifrau von Suttner (Baroness Bertha von Suttner) born 9 June 1843 in Prague (now Czech Republic) as Gräfin The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC is a body of the European Union (EU established in 1957 The Committee of the Regions (CoR is a body of the European Union (EU established in 1994 [16][17][18]

See also

References

  1. ^ European Commission publication: Europe in Brussels 2007
  2. ^ Map of EP buildings in Brussels
  3. ^ Rankin, Jennifer (2007-10-31). Brussels ( Belgium) is considered to be the de facto Capital of the European Union, having a long history of hosting the Institutions The European Parliament 's presence in Luxembourg currently consists of the Parliament's secretariat, although the Parliament had held Plenary sessions Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 445 BC – Ezra reads the Book of the Law to the Israelites in Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 91 NLTse City bids to shape EU’s presence. European Voice. European Voice is an English language newspaper owned by The Economist group Retrieved on 2007-12-02. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1409 - The University of Leipzig opens 1755 - The second Eddystone Lighthouse is destroyed by fire
  4. ^ Wheatley, Paul (2006-10-02). Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1187 - Siege of Jerusalem: Saladin captures Jerusalem after 88 years of Crusader rule The two-seat parliament farce must end. Café Babel. Retrieved on 2007-07-16. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 622 - The beginning of the Islamic calendar. 1054 - Three Roman legates fractured relations between the Western and
  5. ^ History of the Building ape-europe. org
  6. ^ a b Brussels seating plan (PDF). European Parliament. Europa (sometimes written EUROPA) the official Web portal of the European Union, is intended to improve the public’s interaction with EU institutions Retrieved on 2007-06-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1381 - Peasants' Revolt: in England, rebels arrive at Blackheath.
  7. ^ European Parliament D4-D5
  8. ^ Passerelle parlement européen (French)
  9. ^ a b New EU parliament buildings named EU observer
  10. ^ Banks, Martin (2008-01-30) New visitor centre set to open in EU parliament, TheParliament. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1648 - Eighty Years' War: The Treaty of Münster is signed ending the conflict between the Netherlands and Spain com
  11. ^ 'War of Names' in EP Begins for Pope
  12. ^ European parliament struggles to baptise new buildings Helena Spongenberg EU Observer 03. 09. 2007
  13. ^ What's in a name? RICS EU Public Affairs blog
  14. ^ Hruska, Blahoslav (2007-09-05) Brussels may soon have its own Havel. Or Mandela?aktualne. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1590 - Alexander Farnese 's army forces Henry IV of France to raise the siege of Paris. cz
  15. ^ Members Communicaction, Committee on Budgets europarl. europa. eu
  16. ^ Eppink, Derk-Jan; Ian Connerty (translator) (2007). Derk Jan Eppink (born November 7, 1958) is a Dutch Journalist and former cabinet secretary for European Commissioners Bolkestein Life of a European Mandarin: Inside the Commission, 1st edition (in English), Tielt, Belgium: Lannoo, 67. ISBN 978-9020970227.  
  17. ^ Bertha von Suttner - a visionary European. Opening of Bertha von Suttner Building, Committee of the Regions – ECOSOC. Brussels, 8 March 2006 europa. eu
  18. ^ The EESC and CoR building at 99-101 rue Belliardstraat renamed Jacques Delors Building europa. eu

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