Ursula Von der Leyen is all on her own, Brussels becomes a booze-free zone and the reshuffled Commission is what we’d already known.
This week we are supported by The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, more about them later on.
On Monday European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen announced that she had “participated in a meeting attended by a person who tested positive for COVID-19” and was therefore self-isolating pending a second negative test.
I’ve been informed that I participated in a meeting last Tuesday attended by a person who yesterday tested positive for COVID-19. In accordance with regulations in force, I’m therefore self-isolating until tomorrow morning. I’ve tested negative on Thursday & am tested again today
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 5, 2020
Giving the EU-In-Paintings account the opportunity to use this image.
— EU Painting Memes (@EUinPaintings) October 5, 2020
“Given that her flat is literally at the office, she won’t even be able to enjoy the only pleasure of self-isolation: loud Netflix and music,” said MEP Assistant expressing
full solidarity.
Given that her flat is literally at the officd, she won't even be able to enjoy the only pleasure of self-isolation: loud Netflix and music.
Full solidarity. https://t.co/axPrRrlWXq— mepassistant (@mepassistants) October 5, 2020
Le Chou Imagined an Isolated Von Der Leyen Spotted Barking Orders At Her Commissioners From the Berlaymont HQ Roof
Isolated Von Der Leyen Spotted Barking Orders From Berlaymont HQ Roof At Her Commissioners pic.twitter.com/WqM1Q3QQQu
— Le Chou (@LeChouNews) October 5, 2020
In reality, VDL was out of isolation in time for her birthday on Thursday.
The European Commission in France sent their congratulations.
Nous souhaitons aujourd'hui un très joyeux anniversaire à Ursula @vonderleyen ! 🎂🎉
Zum Geburtstag viel Glück, Frau Präsidentin! pic.twitter.com/C9VBi0CW0x
— Commission européenne 🇪🇺 (@UEFrance) October 8, 2020
DG DEVIS wished the leader a happy birthday with this splendid Sentinel2 image of Brussels.
With this #Sentinel2 🛰🇪🇺 image of Brussels, her birthplace, we would like to wish, together with all our leadership and staff, President @vonderleyen a very happy birthday! 🎁 🎂 🎈 pic.twitter.com/RarUDkTGRj
— 🇪🇺 DG DEFIS #StrongerTogether (@defis_eu) October 8, 2020
But Pablo Perez pulled out all the stops, by reminding everyone of that time Hugh Jackman picked up the European Commission President and carried her on set!
Hey @RealHughJackman, do not forget that today is @vonderleyen's birthday
Happy birthday, President 🎂 pic.twitter.com/iK87r1qTQB
— Pablo Pérez (@PabloPerezA) October 8, 2020
However if VDL feels like letting her hair down this evening in Brussels, she’s out of luck as it was announced that Brussels Bars would have to shut down for one month to combat the spread of COVID19.
However restaurants will be allowed to remain open as Euractiv’s Alexandra Brzozowski reported.
🚨🇧🇪 Belgian sources report that Brussels is shutting down bars and cafes as additional #COVID19 measures for a month, taking effect from 7 a.m. tomorrow. Restaurants remain open.
— Alexandra Brzozowski (@alex_owski) October 7, 2020
Martini Seltzermayr wasn’t phased saying he was “looking forward to going out to a “restaurant” dinner of six pints and a packet of crisps”
Looking forward to going out to a Brussels “restaurant” for a dinner of six pints and a packet of crisps https://t.co/3efUtewTX1
— Martini Seltzermayr (@mseltzermayr) October 7, 2020
This is not a drill tweeted Dave Clark
Brussels, this is not a drill pic.twitter.com/TZFGBESTKv
— Dave Clark (@DaveClark_AFP) October 7, 2020
But Berlaymonster was already prepared for #lockdown2
#lockdown2 pic.twitter.com/o1F7Hnvf8l
— Berlaymonster (@Berlaymonster) October 7, 2020
As is Jorge Valero
We are prepared #resilience #Brussels pic.twitter.com/p4rAha8l4X
— Jorge Valero (@europressos) October 7, 2020
But Michelle O’Neill only found out when her husband came in the door from the shops at 11am with boxes of wine and beer!
I found out when my husband came in the door from the shops at 11am with boxes of wine and beer
— Michelle O'Neill 😷 (@oneill_michelle) October 7, 2020
This week we are supported by ACCA, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, to find out more about how to foster Economic Recovery through Green Finance Education, join their webinar on 14 October. Details online.
Fostering Economic Recovery through Green Finance Education
Join our 14 October webinar:https://t.co/WlCpQPqUUl pic.twitter.com/EZl9xNanBa
— ACCA Views (@ACCAViews) October 6, 2020
Finally this week, the European Parliament has approved the appointment of Mairead McGuinness as Commissioner and Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis’s change of portfolio.
Congratulations to @McGuinnessEU on her appointment as EU Commissioner on Financial Services today. A huge achievement for Mairead, a no-nonsense woman from the North-East who I know will do Ireland proud in her new role https://t.co/nFzuww6mgI
— Heather Humphreys (@HHumphreysFG) October 7, 2020
Former MEP McGuinness was confirmed to take over the role of Ireland’s Commissioner by a landslide 583 votes to 37.
She thanked her colleagues in the Parliament and said she was looking forward to the final step by the European Council
Honoured by the vote in @Europarl_EN to approve my role as Commissioner for @EU_Finance. Congratulations also to @VDombrovskis. Thanks to colleagues and looking forward to final step by @EUCouncil 🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/0qpkqZCwJs
— Mairead McGuinness (@McGuinnessEU) October 7, 2020
An eagle-eyed Sam Morgan noticed that – GASP – the @MaireadMcGMEP twitter handle was already gone to be replaced with @McGuinnessEU.
GASP, @MaireadMcGMEP already does not exist
It's @McGuinnessEU from now on
— Sam Morgan (@SamJamesMorgan) October 7, 2020
You know who to follow!
Meanwhile Valdis Dombrovskis also comfortably got the THUMBS UP for the EUTrade portfolio
THUMBS UP for #EUTrade! pic.twitter.com/6kGsjCRR3b
— Valdis Dombrovskis (@VDombrovskis) October 7, 2020
by 515 votes to 110.
Showing a rare moment of amusement! Leading DG MEME to conclude that an update is needed
An update is needed https://t.co/nVGZ1wADXf pic.twitter.com/Ga9bevTTNS
— DG MEME 🇪🇺 (@meme_ec) October 7, 2020
But MEP Assistant isn’t convinced called it the “best deepfake in forever.”
Best deepfake I've seen in forever. https://t.co/oyGi7hmrds
— mepassistant (@mepassistants) October 7, 2020
That’s it for another week join me next Friday for more deep fakes and hot takes in the Brussels Bubble twittersphere.