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As Europe is gripped by an intense heatwave, the EU Commission in Brussels has implemented measures to mitigate the extreme temperatures, but the response has been criticized for its glaring class divisions. The Commission, which houses the President Ursula von der Leyen and her 26 commissioners, took an unprecedented step by cutting off air conditioning from the lower floors of its Berlaymont building.
The affected lower floors, encompassing the working spaces of nearly 3,000 junior staff members, received a text message at midday announcing the shutdown. The message read: “BERL — URGENT — Due to extreme weather conditions, forced shut down of air cooling system from floor 1 to 7 for the rest of the day.” In contrast, the upper floors housing the offices of the Commission President and the 26 commissioners, including those located on the 8th to 13th floors, remained unaffected, their air conditioning systems still functioning as normal.
A Commission official working on one of the lower floors of the building expressed their discontent, comparing the situation to feudalism. “It’s like feudalism,” the official said, speaking anonymously to avoid potential repercussions. “Those at the top get to enjoy the privileges, while the majority of the staff are left to endure the discomfort.”
A second official corroborated this sentiment, labeling the situation a “disgrace.” This response highlights the stark contrast in treatment and living conditions between the upper and lower ranks within the Commission.
In a bid to alleviate the suffering, the Commission had issued guidance for its staff earlier in the week, including advice to avoid going outside at the hottest times of the day, maintaining regular hydration, and adjusting their work schedules to earlier hours.
This disparity in the way the Commission has managed the heatwave has raised questions about the body’s priorities and its treatment of junior members of staff. While the Commission is working to mitigate the extreme temperatures, this recent decision has exposed a worrying divide between the leadership and the lower ranks.