Former EU Commissioner says Von der Leyen should have reacted to chair snub

·

Former EU Commissioner, Anna Diamantopoulou said the head of the European Commission should have addressed the diplomatic mishap in Ankara where she was left without a chair during a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The incident took place when European Council President Charles Michel, who was with Ursula von der Leyen at the meeting, took the only chair available next to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, relegating her to an adjacent sofa.

“Ursula von der Leyen should have been the protagonist of #SofaGate. She should have demanded, in front of the cameras, the observance of the protocol or leave in grand style. This is what I would have expected, as a woman and as a European,” she said in a tweet on her official account. 

Draghi accuses Erdogan of humiliating EU’s von der Leyen

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi accused Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan of humiliating European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen earlier this week, and said it was important to be frank with “dictators.”

Von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel met Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday. The Commission chief was clearly taken aback when the two men sat on the only two chairs prepared, relegating her to an adjacent sofa.

“I absolutely do not agree with Erdogan’s behaviour towards President von der Leyen … I think it was not appropriate behaviour and I was very sorry for the humiliation von der Leyen had to suffer,” Draghi told reporters.

“With these, let’s call them what they are, dictators, with whom one nonetheless has to coordinate, one has to be frank when expressing different visions and opinions,” he added.

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Bouzouki Night 2025: A celebration of youth, culture and Hellenic pride in the Capital

It was a night of kefi in Canberra as 300 guests filled the Hellenic Club of Canberra for the Hellenic Youth Club’s Bouzouki Night 2025.

Cretan and Kalymnian youth in Sydney unite for a night of dance, music and kefi

The spirit of Greece came alive in Sydney as the Cretan Youth Association of Sydney and the Kalymnian Youth Society of NSW hosted Xoro.

Greek language attainment award, from yiayia’s kitchen to the classroom

The Greek Centre in Melbourne filled with pride and applause on Saturday, October 18 as the GCM honoured students of all ages.

Once a year, the future gathers at the Australian Hellenic War Memorial

Once a year, on an October spring morning, the Australian Hellenic War Memorial (AHWM) fills with the laughter of children.

Parliament House to host inaugural Women of the Greek Diaspora Forum

The Embassy of Greece in Australia will present the inaugural Women of the Greek Diaspora Forum, an exciting event.

You May Also Like

‘Station 42 Bar’: Reimagined old railway station in Greece a hit with Greek Australians

Many Greek Australians were in for a treat when they holidayed at the beautiful, Western Peloponnesian beachside village of Tholo, Illias.

NUGAS Ball 2025: A night of dance, culture and community for Greek youth

Arguably one of the biggest annual Greek events in Melbourne, the 2025 NUGAS Ball welcomed 755 guests to Crown Palladium on Sunday.

ANZAC Day service held at St Spyridon War Memorial Church in Sydney

On Sunday, April 21, Saint Spyridon Parish in Kingsford, Sydney, held a special ANZAC Day memorial service following the Divine Liturgy.