German chancellery put to the vote, EU- trip to US is little of note and post Brexit UK shortages, it’s hard not to gloat!
After 16 years in power, Germans went to the polls on Sunday to vote for Angela Merkel’s successor.
And well, it was not Armin Laschet’s day.
Laschet gonna Laschet reported Jeremy Cliffe. As the chancellor wannabe topped off a gaffe-prone campaign by accidentally revealing his ballot to cameras, potentially invalidating his own vote.
Laschet gonna Laschet: CDU/CSU chancellor candidate tops off a gaffe-prone #btw21 campaign by accidentally revealing his ballot to cameras, potentially invalidating his own vote. 🤦♂️ https://t.co/05F7TMzEu9
— Jeremy Cliffe (@JeremyCliffe) September 26, 2021
Other Germans voters were more in line with regulations – and also definitely dressed for the occasion, as captured here by Dana Regez
Germans gonna German ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Germans gonna German ¯_(ツ)_/¯#btw21 pic.twitter.com/ZGlcSEkVnR
— Dana Regev (@Dana_Regev) September 26, 2021
Even before the first results dropped, Oliver Noyan pointed out that Berlin is hosting a marathon on the day of the Election – an allegory for the tight race?
Berlin is hosting a marathon on the day of the #GermanElection2021. An allegory for the tight election race? pic.twitter.com/FLZEoSiW9C
— Oliver Noyan (@noyan_oliver) September 26, 2021
And tight it was.
With a head to head race, German Twitter looked a little bit like this.
German Twitter at the moment.#btw21 pic.twitter.com/2haZctrXUa
— Hikari (@Katniss_Dean) September 26, 2021
You and me both Angela!
Olaf Scholz meanwhile declared that he and his party, the centre-left SPD want to lead and form a government.
And yup, within minutes CDU’s Armin Laschet declared exactly the same thing.
Germany: Olaf Scholz declares that he and his party, the centre-left SPD (S&D), want to lead and form a government.
CDU/CSU (EPP)'s Armin Laschet declared the same just minutes ago. #btw21 #Bundestagswahl21 #Bundestagswahl
Our liveblog: https://t.co/EQ3VzaGVHf
— Europe Elects (@EuropeElects) September 26, 2021
Though not everyone thought he was really on message!
Sondierung am Limit. pic.twitter.com/adJZNaRVeh
— Jan Grolier (@GrolierJan) September 28, 2021
In the end, it was the kingmakers of the Greens and the FDP that somehow came out on top,
Posting a first iconic selfie of Germany’s post-Merkel era.
First iconic selfie of Germany's post-Merkel era
Leaders of FDP & Greens in a show of common purpose, posting same pic & blurb on their Insta accounts
"Seeking common ground & bridges over our differences in the search for a new govt. And even finding some. Exciting times." pic.twitter.com/nXBVJ4S35U
— Richard Walker (@rbsw) September 29, 2021
And of course, plenty of meme traffic around the pic, as pointed out by Constanze Stelzenmüller. But this one’s my favourite.
This selfie by the FDP and Green coalition negotiators generating a lot of meme traffic today 👇 https://t.co/gNWmbPZ1JQ
— Constanze Stelzenmüller (@ConStelz) September 29, 2021
Moving on to another meeting, though with maybe a bit less dancing, ducking and dodging.
The EU’s dream team of VALDIS Dombrovskis and Margrethe Vestager headed to Pittsburgh for the EU – US Trade & Tech Council.
Not without making a quick pit stop in Washington D.C.
Wrapping up 2 excellent, packed days in Washington D.C., with thanks to the great team at @EUintheUS.
✈️ Next stop: Pittsburgh for the 🇪🇺 🇺🇸 Trade & Tech Council #TTC pic.twitter.com/6IiVt9RTaB
— Valdis Dombrovskis (@VDombrovskis) September 28, 2021
Or as EC Meme reported it:
+++ EU shaman storms the Capitol building with the cure to EU’s transatlantic relations
+++ EU shaman storms the Capitol building with the cure to EU's transatlantic relation https://t.co/Zyz9vTPjg9 pic.twitter.com/lKqQ3wt6h6
— DG MEME 🇪🇺 (@meme_ec) September 29, 2021
Dombrovskis dressed as Jamiroquai yelling “Strategic Autonomy” truly an image for the ages!
Though American EU Dude thought they took the media hype about the #TTC being a transatlantic steel-cage match a little too literally
Looks like they took the media hype about this #TTC being a transatlantic steel-cage match a little too literally https://t.co/VC1cYQ70TQ
— American EU Dude 🇺🇸🇪🇺😎 (@AmericanEUDude) September 29, 2021
Which did not stop Vestager putting out a pic after rocking this boxing pose
Mission accomplished.
Mission accomplished 💪 pic.twitter.com/RM6pg5goXQ
— Alejandro Caínzos (@AC_Europa) September 29, 2021
Finally this week, breaking news: the end of petrol and diesel cars in the UK was scheduled for 2030. This has now been brought forward to this week…..
Just in: the end of petrol and diesel cars in the UK was scheduled for 2030. This has now been brought forward to this week…..
— Lionel Barber (@lionelbarber) September 29, 2021
Global shortage globally said Sam Morgan mocking UK Transport minister Grant Schapps.
Global shortage globally https://t.co/xdeVVufH3s
— Sam Morgan (@SamJamesMorgan) September 30, 2021
EU Popcorn Stocks Run Dangerously Low As Everyone Sits Back To Watch UK’s Latest Clusterfuck reported Le Chou
EU Popcorn Stocks Run Dangerously Low As Everyone Sits Back To Watch UK’s Latest Clusterfuck pic.twitter.com/giC6UWV2yi
— Le Chou (@LeChouNews) September 28, 2021