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SPACESHIP CALLS EARTH
What do the employees of the European Parliament think of the politics within the building and the city of Brussels outside?
| Tara Mc Donnell. (DUBLIN). Settled in the heart of Brussels lays a building that belongs to everybody and no body. The European parliament, a symbol for the joining of nations and democracy, which has seen many famous political faces under its roof. Yet does anyone ever stop to think about the people behind the scenes that make everything run smoothly? Are they from Brussels, are they interested in the very politics that go on around them and what do they think of the capital of Europe?
As one would expect not all the employees asked are from Brussels. Yet this did not affect their love of the city and its occupants.
What was extremely surprising however was that only one third of the participants questioned actually where interested in the politics occurring within the parliament building. One man said he tried to follow the events though the newspapers when possible. This is a little ironic due to the fact that he works where the news is being created.
The views on the city outside where very diverse, most interviewees seemed to agree that it was very multicultural, with open minded people. Some of the women stated it was a friendly safe city that was easy to get around in. Where as one man stated the traffic was terrible and public services needed to be worked on. Another lady commented on it having all the advantages of being the capital of Europe without having the inconvenience of the other cities. That there was plenty of heritage and culture to enjoy, with low prices and had the upside of being a green city, she stated Brussels was simply the best city.
To take the opposite stand to theses comments was a lady who was not from Brussels who said it was quite a dirty city but the people where lovely. All participants said they enjoyed working in there. Nearly everyone mentioned that it was the capital of Europe without needing to be asked or have it stated before hand.
One thing everyone absolutely agreed on was that they would not change the appearance and architect of the European parliament, they all stated it was beautiful the way it was. So it seems the employees find it and interesting exquisite place to work surrounded by a safe, friendly and multicultural city.