Belgium and much of Europe have been enduring extreme heat, with record high temperatures over the past week.
The European Commission advised its staff earlier this week to avoid going outside during peak heat, stay hydrated, and start work earlier.
This advice upset some Commission staff, especially those in buildings without air-conditioning, like DG AGRI, as per internal communications viewed by POLITICO’s Brussels Playbook.
“It’s like feudalism,” said a Commission official working in the lower levels of the Berlaymont, speaking anonymously to express their views on how the upper floors where commissioners reside retained their AC usage. Another official called it a “disgrace.”
A third staff member on the 8th floor remarked to POLITICO that despite having AC, the temperature inside remained at 25.7 degrees.
The heat wave has sparked renewed discussions about the scarcity of air-conditioning systems in European homes and offices. Only about 20% of households in Europe have AC. In Belgium, one-fifth of trains lack AC, leading the national rail company to cancel many peak-hour services.
The European Parliament also experienced blackouts this week due to increased energy use from enhancing its cooling system.
Gerardo Fortuna and Gabriel Gavin contributed to this report.
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