James Bryce
THE eurozone crisis may have forced millions to cut back on luxuries in an effort to make ends meet.
But MEPs certainly don’t appear to be among them after voting to retain their right to fly business class rather than economy.
Despite the crisis, only four out of 41 Spanish MEPs agreed to downgrade from their current allowance of €1,297 for business class fares between Brussels and Spain.
Spanish airline Vueling meanwhile charges around €150 for a return flight in economy between Brussels and Spain.
However the business class cost is the equivalent of 20 days salary for a teacher.
The vote comes as the government warned that Spain faces a tough year as it continues to struggle with recession.
In his new year message PM Rajoy said: “Spain’s economy will remain in recession for some time.”
Apathetic electorate in action.
British, French, German or Spanish MEP’s all have their noses in the trough, no way would they sit in economy they might hear what their electorate thought of them.