This week, in Salzburg Theresa May makes a splash, on migration Asselborn and Salvini clash, and Macron’s rolling in merchandise cash.
This week we are supported by the European Copper Institute. More about them at the end.
This week it was all eyes on Salzburg as EU leaders gathered for an informal council meeting to discuss migration, internal security and of course, Brexit.
Despite being given only 10 minutes to plead her case, British Prime Minister Theresa May made all the headlines by saying she was willing to walk away without a deal.
May ruled out extending Article 50 saying: “We all recognise that time is short but extending or delaying these negotiations is not an option” reported Darren McCaffrey.
British PM @Theresa_May ruled out extending Article 50 telling EU leaders last night in Salzburg: “We all recognise that time is short but extending or delaying these negotiations is not an option.”
— Darren McCaffrey (@DarrenEuronews) September 20, 2018
In happier scenes, Danny Kemp reckoned Tusk was finally going for the cake and cherries joke
Tusk finally goes for the cake and cherries joke ? pic.twitter.com/vFVpFWCcAy
— Danny Kemp (@dannyctkemp) September 20, 2018
Max Hofmann summed up the summit saying a November summit on Brexit was confirmed, Egypt is the new hope for “disembarkation platforms” according to Juncker and the mood seems to be significantly better than in recent past.
#SalzburgSummit18 so far:
1. November summit on @Brexit confirmed.
2. On migration, Egypt is the new hope for “disembarkation platforms”. @JunckerEU expects results by end of year on border security.
3. Mood seems to have been significantly better than in recent past. pic.twitter.com/Ofypr63YU5
— Maximilian Hofmann (@maxhofmann) September 20, 2018
Bad news for Berlaymonster and his hope to use an “Insultzburg” headline.
If the #Euco gets a bit nasty, can I be first to bag the headline "Insultzburg"?
— Berlaymonster (@Berlaymonster) September 20, 2018
But The Irish Border account reckons Mozart remains the best thing to come out of Salzburg
Mozart will remain the best thing to come out of Salzburg
— The Irish Border (@BorderIrish) September 20, 2018
Elsewhere a war of words erupted between Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini and Luxembourgish Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn.
At a meeting on migration last Friday Salvini said “In Italy there’s the need to help our youth to have kids, not to have new slaves to replace children we’re not having.”
To which Asselborn retorted “In Luxembourg we have Italian migrants who worked so you had money to pay for your children. Merde alors!”
Salvini: "In Italy there’s the need to help our youth to have kids, not to have new slaves to replace children we’re not having (…)Maybe Luxembourg has that need"
Asselborn:"In Lux we have Italian migrants who worked so you could had money to pay for your children.Merde alors” pic.twitter.com/1p71MSkVvW
— Pablo Pérez ?? (@PabloPerezA) September 14, 2018
The Twittersphere was pretty evenly split between those supporting Salvini’s “truth bomb” and those praising Asselborn
For, in the words of one Twitter user, “speaking out against this madman. Italy does not deserve this vile man as vice president. Fascism is back, and it’s very, very ugly.”
Kudos to Asselborn, for speaking out against this madman. Italy does not deserve this vile man as vicepresident. Fascism is back, and it’s very, very ugly. https://t.co/PTv8neaQvo
— Gerrit-Jan vd Bent (@gjvdbent) September 14, 2018
Euractiv’s Sam Morgan got busy on photoshop… hopefully Asselborn will wear it on a t-shirt next time he sees Salvini
I made a Jean Asselborn poster, hopefully he'll wear it on a tshirt next time he sees @matteosalvinimi #MerdeAlors #Entshuldigung pic.twitter.com/1Y0Cx97TgM
— Sam Morgan (@SamJamesMorgan) September 18, 2018
Meanwhile, the African Union, yup, the entire continent, has demanded an apology from Salvini for comparing African immigrants to slaves.
While #Salvini sues black MEP @ckyenge for defamation in #racism row, the @_AfricanUnion , an entire contitent, has demanded an apology from Salvini for comparing #African #immigrants to #slaves. Our latest for @guardian with @GiuffridaA & @JenniferMerodehttps://t.co/u9wDsXyBoG
— Lorenzo Tondo (@lorenzo_tondo) September 19, 2018
Finally want a get rich quick scheme? Stick Emmanuel Macron’s face on a T-shirt and boom!
The Elysee Palace gift shop launched a new range of Macron-branded souvenirs and made €350,000 in just 3 days!
French Elysée shop sells €350,000 of goods in three days https://t.co/Zj9omN99E7
— The Guardian (@guardian) September 17, 2018
The gift shop, which is also available online, sells €55 T-shirts and €250 gold bracelets.
The Élysée palace has opened a new #Macron gift shop – complete with €55 T-shirts and €250 gold bracelets. @PaulineBock explains how it's gone down in France. pic.twitter.com/1MDRB1JMZc
— BBC Newshour (@BBCNewshour) September 14, 2018
As well as colouring books of the Macrons and their dog!
via FrenchEntree:
‘A special Elysée shop will sell a range of presidential gifts, including colouring books of the Macrons and their dog.’ Miggledy take note. https://t.co/mmXuf1KGwE
— Trish Deseine (TrishDeseine) September 16, 2018
— France Media Group (@FranceMediaG) September 16, 2018
Guardian writer Pauline Bock was unimpressed saying “Macron merchandise takes the French for mugs”
Might have to check out the Elysée gift shop, need some Macron kitsch to go with French presidents Russian dolls set, Sarkozy voodoo doll and Hollande thimble –> Macron merchandise takes the French for mugs | Pauline Bock https://t.co/BiNhV4qeW3 via @guardian
— Jonathan Ervine (@j_ervine) September 18, 2018
Mimi Pinson says he’s more “bling” than Sarkozy
Outrageous promotion, for a president with more "bling" than Sarkozy? https://t.co/kHd0uDJwhi
— Mimi Pinson (@MimiInternet) September 17, 2018
But Paul Dallison said the real tragedy is that the sweet delicacies are not called “Macron’s macarons.”
For those with a sweet tooth, there’s a box of macarons made by Pierre Hermé (voted the World’s Best Pastry Chef 2016) for €19.50 — although in what can only be described as a massive oversight, they are not called “Macron’s macarons.” https://t.co/BUVP1Vn401
— Paul Dallison (@pdallison74) September 14, 2018
This week we are sponsored by European Copper. This #EUGreenWeek, find out how copper helps cities become more sustainable and smarter by following the hashtag #ThinkCopper
#Copper helps cities become more sustainable and smarter. It’s time for city planners and architects to #ThinkCopper for green and healthy buildings. #EUGreenWeek #greencities pic.twitter.com/6Y3JO0Yb5v
— European Copper (@ThinkCopperEU) May 21, 2018
And that’s it for this week! Join me again next Friday for more snarks and larks in the Brussels Bubble Twittersphere.