VDL’s video is a step too far, Merkel’s Parliament performance raises the bar and Michel Barnier is back on the Eurostar.
This episode is supported by The International Bromine Council, more about them later on.
To some it was a storm in a teacup, but this week’s brouhaha erupted when European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen appeared in a Croatian party political campaign video on the eve of elections.
Her private social media consultants really should have told her it was not a good idea, suggested Mehreen Khan.
Seems like the private consultants Von der Leyen hires for social media advice weren't able to tell her that appearing in a party political campaign video for Croatia's HDZ on the eve of elections is probably not a good idea https://t.co/8crfNuBoTU
— mehreenkhn (@MehreenKhn) July 4, 2020
However Una Hajdara thought the video featuring EPP pinups Donald Tusk, Sebastian Kurz, and Boyko Borissov was the best thing you’ll see online.
This video of various EPP members, ranging from Donald Tusk to Sebastian Kurz, Boyko Borissov and Janez Jansa, reciting the tagline of the ruling Croatian party’s campaign ahead of Sunday’s elections is the best thing you’ll see today. #izboriParlHR https://t.co/kR07IloMOu
— Una Hajdari (@UnaHajdari) July 4, 2020
Jim Brunsden pointed out that the Commission code of conduct says College members are not supposed to do this sort of thing.
The @EU_Commission's own code of conduct says that College members are not supposed to do this sort of thing. @vonderleyen would have needed to have been clear that she was speaking in a personal capacity: https://t.co/ww0epvPtKU) https://t.co/8XVZ0IsbNw pic.twitter.com/VRlZFKm9OI
— Jim Brunsden (@jimbrunsden) July 5, 2020
And Spokesman Eric Mamer was wheeled out to state that VDL was contributing in a “personal capacity.”
The President recorded a short sound bite for use in a video involving a number of EPP politicians. It was meant as a contribution in her personal capacity. Regrettably, this was not made clear in the final version of the video.
— Eric Mamer (@MamerEric) July 5, 2020
It would have been less confusing if she hadn’t been in the Commission in front of an EU flag, said James Crisp.
Would have been less confusing if she hadn't been in the commission in front of an EU flag. https://t.co/ft4KxGv4a1
— James Crisp (@JamesCrisp6) July 5, 2020
Completely coincidentally Berlaymonster posted this meme of a guilty dog:
“Mistakes were made, bins were overturned, but I was inspecting the bin in a personal capacity, not as a dog. It’s regrettable that this was not made clear at the time.”
"mistakes were made, bins were overturned, but I was inspecting the bin in a personal capacity, not as a dog. It's regrettable that this was not made clear at the time." pic.twitter.com/YnGhq5QCOB
— Berlaymonster (@Berlaymonster) July 6, 2020
This episode is supported by The International Bromine Council. Find out more about how Brominated Flame Retardants contribute to the fire safety of electronics, helping to save lives by following the hashtag #LetsTalkBromine.
https://twitter.com/BromineInfo/status/128 0098573389123586
Sit up straight, she’s here! Tweeted Damon Wake on Wednesday as Queen Europe… Angela Merkel… arrived IN PERSON at the European Parliament.
Sit up straight, she's here! pic.twitter.com/5O07EDxTet
— Damon Wake (@damonwake) July 8, 2020
During her speech to MEPs the German Chancellor said “You cannot fight the pandemic with lies and disinformation…the limits of Populism are being laid bare.”
Angela Merkel: “You cannot fight the pandemic with lies and disinformation…the limits of Populism are being laid bare.”
From her speech to the EU today: pic.twitter.com/CAZMMkUMrw
— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) July 8, 2020
A comment that met with massive support on Twitter…
“Gemeinsam. Together. Tous ensemble.”
This Presidency has chosen to put one word at the core of its programme.”
“Gemeinsam. Together. Tous ensemble.
This Presidency has chosen to put one word at the core of its programme.
That is the engine of our Union.”@EU_Commission President @vonderleyen spoke during the presentation of the programme of activities of @EU2020DE https://t.co/B438UITKHY— Eva Edlinger (@EvaEdlinger) July 8, 2020
Who wants to tell her that’s four words, quipped Martini Seltzermayr.
Who wants to tell her that’s four words https://t.co/kU2THMhOX1
— Martini Seltzermayr (@mseltzermayr) July 8, 2020
Doesn’t matter: I love her, I love her, I love her, tweeted one perhaps OVER enthusiastic supporter.
I love her, I love her, I love her. #AngelaMerkel https://t.co/i6aiTxzDr5
— PollyanaSledgehammer 🍎 (@HeerKittee) July 9, 2020
Someone who probably doesn’t love Merkel is Boris Johnson who told her that the
UK would leave the EU on Australia terms if no deal is reached.
UK would leave the EU on Australia terms if no deal reached, Johnson tells Merkelhttps://t.co/0AyDZ91QL8
— Andy Bruce (@BruceReuters) July 7, 2020
Sports fans know that “Australian Rules” is basically shorthand shorthand “no rules” and an all-out punch up, said Berlaymonster.
Sports fans know that "Australian Rules" is shorthand for basically "*no* rules" and an all-out punch up.
The same applies to "Australian Terms." https://t.co/x5sC2sETpl
— Berlaymonster (@Berlaymonster) July 7, 2020
However EU Negotiator Michel Barnier looked positively chilled en route to London to continue discussions with his British counterpart David Frost.
“We are engaging constructively,” he said.
En route to London 🇬🇧: looking forward to continuing discussions w/ @DavidGHFrost & team.
The 🇪🇺 wants an agreement – and we are doing everything to succeed – but not at any price.
We are engaging constructively & I look forward to equivalent engagement from the UK this week. pic.twitter.com/STdpKF0zsH
— Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) July 7, 2020
While Tatler had the news that Barnier and Frost had enjoyed an intimate fish dinner a deux.
Latest #Brexit talks as featured in @Tatlermagazine https://t.co/whooDTZl6k
— Georg von Harrach (@georgvh) July 9, 2020
That’s it for this week, and another season of Tweets of the Week. But never fear we’ll be back in September with your weekly dose of gossip from the Brussels Bubble Twittershphere.