Welcome to EURACTIV’s EU Tweets of the Week.
This episode is sponsored by Danfoss, find out more about them at the end.
VDL Commission takes up its seat, Trump under fire as NATO leaders meet, and Rule of Law in Malta feeling the heat.
On Sunday, the Von de Leyen Commission moved into the Berlaymont building.
Change of guard! The #vdLCommission is moving into the #Berlaymont building today. #EUstrivingformore @EU_Commission pic.twitter.com/WpnrXNYXTg
— PiaAhrenkildeEU (@PiaAhrenkilde) December 1, 2019
Marco Ricorda spotted some similarities with another famous tower.
👀 SPOT THE DIFFERENCE 👀
Humour will save Europe 🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/GVZZ71zfL6
— Marco Ricorda #FBPE 🇮🇹🇪🇺 (@marcoRecorder) December 2, 2019
Steady on Marco, I don’t think Ursula has reached Dark Lord Sauron levels just yet!
In a press conference, former Commission president Jean Claude Juncker handed over the keys to the Berlaymont to Ursula von der Leyen, or as Mina Andreeva put it: Changing of the guard(ians of the 🇪🇺 Treaties)
Changing of the guard(ians of the 🇪🇺 Treaties) @JunckerEU @vonderleyen: “Dire au revoir, c’est triste. Ich wünsche Dir alles Glück der Welt, Gottes Segen und große Ohren. You will be an excellent @EU_Commission President.” pic.twitter.com/X9ARgb7wN6
— Mina Andreeva (@Mina_Andreeva) December 3, 2019
Juncker also left his successor with a ceremonial bell he himself said was “absolutely useless”.
Merci Jean-Claude. ❤️#EU🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/fTw7cIks68
— Ursula von der fake Leyen 🇪🇺 (@von_der_EU) December 3, 2019
And after five years in charge, Juncker signed off his final press conference saying “I’m hungry”
„J‘ai faim – I’am hungry”
Final words by the outgoing European Commission President. Jean-Claude Juncker says goodbye after five years in office. pic.twitter.com/WAxn48vdx3
— Georg Matthes (@GeorgMatthes) November 29, 2019
As MEP Assistant said, just when you thought Juncker’s fare well couldn’t live up to his legend…
Juncker: “Hold my plate”
Eurobubble : "There's no way Juncker's departure can be up to his legend"
Juncker : "Hold my plate" https://t.co/IV7vv1rWzs— mepassistant (@mepassistants) November 29, 2019
On Tuesday, western leaders gathered in London to celebrate NATO’s 70th anniversary… and well, let’s just say it wasn’t exactly convivial!
“So much for the bromance,” reported AFP journalist Damon Wake, as “Donald Trump really put the boot in to Emmanuel Macron.”
So much for the bromance: @realDonaldTrump really puts the boot in to @EmmanuelMacron– slams his NATO brain dead comments as 'nasty' and 'insulting', mocks France for high unemployment.
— Damon Wake (@damonwake) December 3, 2019
Trump slammed Macron’s NATO brain-dead comments as “nasty” and “insulting”, ridiculed France for high unemployment, and said nobody needs NATO more than France.
But Dave Keating pointed out that “realistically, after the US itself, France is probably the country that needs NATO the least.”
France was not in NATO from 1966 to 2009, because of their concerns it made Europe too reliant on America and it’s the only other member with a completely independent nuclear weapons system.
Realistically, after the US itself, #France is probably the country that needs #NATO the least.
It's the only other member with a completely independent nuclear weapons system (UK missile launch requires American permission).https://t.co/xD5q7l9Mm4
— Dave Keating (@DaveKeating) December 3, 2019
Martini Seltzermayr thought reverse psychology might be at work: “Genius move by Macron attacking NATO just so Trump would defend it.”
Genius move by @EmmanuelMacron attacking NATO just so Trump would defend it
— Martini Seltzermayr (@mseltzermayr) December 3, 2019
But the real headline was hot mic footage of Justin Trudeau, Mark Rutte, Emmanuel Macron, Boris Johnson and Princess Anne openly gossiping about Donald Trump at the Buckingham Palace reception and mocking his propensity for off the cuff 40-minute press conferences.
Justin Trudeau, Emmanuel Macron and Boris Johnson appear to be gossiping about Donald Trump at the Buckingham Palace NATO reception.
The group can be heard joking about a “40-minute press conference” as the reason why Mr Trump was late.#JustinTrudeau #DonaldTrump #NATOLondon pic.twitter.com/upnlp7y9ds
— On Demand News (@ODN) December 4, 2019
“Cannot wait for this to be on Season 8 of The Crown,” said Jennifer Cassidy.
Oh My God.
I knew this happened.
But I’ve yet to see it up close.
And personal.
Until now.
Trudeau, Macron, Johnson, Rutte and Princess Anne in Buckingham Palace, openly mock Trump.
Cannot wait for this to be The Crown Season 8. https://t.co/ZuHIxwy8ta
— Dr. Jennifer Cassidy (@OxfordDiplomat) December 4, 2019
And OF COURSE Twitter went nuts with everyone piling on the general scoffing at Trump.
— Rick Kyker (@RickKyker) December 4, 2019
Trump responded by calling Trudeau two-faced.
JUST IN: Asked about video of NATO leaders caught on camera speaking candidly, President Trump says PM Trudeau "is two-faced," but adds "honestly, he's a nice guy." https://t.co/A0kQ00ymEc pic.twitter.com/a1LDVCzenI
— NBC News (@NBCNews) December 4, 2019
And then flounced off home early cancelling his final press conference.
….When today’s meetings are over, I will be heading back to Washington. We won’t be doing a press conference at the close of NATO because we did so many over the past two days. Safe travels to all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 4, 2019
Because… of course he did!
Not a great look for Trump, but as Paul Lidicul tweeted, it could have been worse!
BREAKING: Donald Trump gets "pantsed" by French President, Emmanuel Macron – during world leaders group picture during NATO summit in London.#NATOLondon pic.twitter.com/jK3VByokC1
— Paul Lidicul (@PaulLidicul) December 4, 2019
Finally this week, to my home from home, Malta, where rule of law is == under threat.
For the third time, on Tuesday a European Parliament delegation visited the island to inquire into the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia just over two years ago.
Daphne was known for exposing corruption event at the highest levels, and her murder has “shocked the world,” tweeted Belgian MEP Assita Kanko.
The situation in Malta has shocked the world. Solidarity and commitment to transparency as a Union is essential. We are here to ensure that EU is a safe space for journalists & remains the home of free speech. Justice for #DaphneCaruanaGalizia a wife and mother taken away… pic.twitter.com/Yg8AF1HnEo
— Assita Kanko MEP (@Assita_Kanko) December 3, 2019
The delegation said it had “serious concerns about PM Joseph Muscat staying in office” and about the integrity of the murder investigation.
#Malta: “We have serious concerns about Joseph Muscat staying in office. We have concerns about the integrity of the murder investigation." @EP_Justice https://t.co/RaQYKP2eS5
— The Shift News (@TheShiftNews) December 5, 2019
Von der Leyen also raised the issue, a move commended by Daphne’s son Matthew.
Thank you, @vonderleyen. https://t.co/hjWxnjT7Of
— Matthew Caruana Galizia (@mcaruanagalizia) December 4, 2019
Confusingly Muscat first announced he would be stepping down, and then added that he would actually be staying on until January next year when his Labour party could select a replacement.
Maltese MEP David Casa said :Malta’s international-level humiliation continues. All so that Joseph Muscat can continue to obstruct justice.”
Malta's international-level humiliation continues. All so that @JosephMuscat_JM can continue to obstruct justice.https://t.co/bDqQoJptzy
— David Casa (@DavidCasaMEP) December 5, 2019
Local protesters expressed their anger at ministers – Justice minister Owen Bonnici getting egged here.
An angry protester throws an egg at Malta's justice minister Owen Bonnici as he arrives at a meeting to discuss the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. More here: https://t.co/zoohH781Yy pic.twitter.com/aNAdMk9fai
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 3, 2019
And Maltese MEP Roberta Metsola made her feelings very clear refusing to shake Muscat’s hand.
This photo will make it to the history books. Well done @RobertaMetsola. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/Aubu2RB1oH
— Deborah Fenech (@DebFenech) December 3, 2019
“The mafia took over the Malta Labour Party & then the country. Daphne Caruana Galizia exposed them so they sued her, then they tried to dehumanise her, then they killed her. Now they’re trying to cover it all up.
And that man had the gall to try to shake my hand.
Get out now”
The mafia took over the #Malta Labour Party & then the country. #DaphneCaruanaGalizia exposed them so they sued her, then they tried to dehumanise her, then they killed her. Now they're trying to cover it all up.
And that man had the gall to try to shake my hand.
Get out. NOW https://t.co/Hrm0lZoX80
— Roberta Metsola MEP (@RobertaMetsola) December 4, 2019
Berlaymonster said “Malta’s current woes will someday bear an embossed cover in an airport bookshop. For now, follow them and be concerned it ISN’T cheap thriller fiction.”
Malta's current woes will someday bear an embossed cover in an airport bookshop.
For now, follow them and be concerned it isn't cheap thriller fiction.
— Berlaymonster (@Berlaymonster) December 1, 2019
This week we are supported by Danfoss, find out more about how district heating and sector integration can help achieve a carbon neutral EU by following them online.
By increasing the share of #districtheating to 50% and better #sectorintegration we can decarbonize heating cost-effectively & bring Europe on track for #carbonneutralEU. New study from @AalborgUniversity, supported by Danfoss & @Engie, outlines HOW: https://t.co/w7ggcMVelV pic.twitter.com/RIq2NtTTlJ
— Danfoss Group (@Danfoss) December 5, 2019