Tweets of the Week: VDL on Video, Merkel in the EP, Barnier en route

VDL’s video is a step too far, Merkel’s Parliament performance raises the bar and Michel Barnier is back on the Eurostar.

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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.

 

However Una Hajdara thought the video featuring EPP pinups Donald Tusk, Sebastian Kurz, and Boyko Borissov was the best thing you’ll see online. 

 

Jim Brunsden pointed out that the Commission code of conduct says College members are not supposed to do this sort of thing.

 

And Spokesman Eric Mamer was wheeled out to state that VDL was contributing in a “personal capacity.”

 

It would have been less confusing if she hadn’t been in the Commission in front of an EU flag, said James Crisp.

 

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.”

 

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.

 

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.”

 

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.” 

 

Who wants to tell her that’s four words, quipped Martini Seltzermayr.

 

Doesn’t matter: I love her, I love her, I love her, tweeted one perhaps OVER enthusiastic supporter.

 

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.

 

Sports fans know that “Australian Rules” is basically shorthand shorthand  “no rules” and an all-out punch up, said Berlaymonster.

 

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.

 

While Tatler had the news that Barnier and Frost had enjoyed an intimate fish dinner a deux.

 

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.