Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has accused the European Commission of employing "colonial logic" in its internal administrative practices.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, Zakharova made these remarks during a broadcast on Sputnik radio.
The statement follows reports that the European Commission's headquarters in Brussels deactivated air conditioning systems on the first through seventh floors amid record-breaking heatwaves. The decision has reportedly sparked significant discontent among staff members. Notably, the office of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, located on the 13th floor, remained unaffected by the restrictions, allowing for continued climate control.
Zakharova characterized the incident as a reflection of deep-seated historical inequalities within European institutions. She argued that European officials perceive themselves as "exceptional," suggesting that the European Commission maintains a medieval "suzerain" logic. According to Zakharova, this approach perpetuates a division between "masters and servants," where leadership prioritizes its own comfort while disregarding the working conditions of lower-level staff. She described the situation as a clear indicator of the European bureaucracy's indifference toward the needs of its workforce.
The European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, and managing the EU's day-to-day business. Its headquarters, the Berlaymont building in Brussels, serves as the central hub for EU administrative operations, often serving as a focal point for internal policy debates and public scrutiny regarding institutional governance.
