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Ursula von der Leyen suffered a brand new awkward second paying homage to the ‘Sofagate’ scandal
European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen discovered herself in an uncomfortable scenario through the EU’s Africa summit on Friday, when she was ignored by Uganda’s overseas minister.
The embarrassing incident unfolded throughout a protocol photograph op, that von der Leyen attended alongside European Council President Charles Michel and France’s President Emmanuel Macron.
The official greeted Uganda’s prime diplomat Abubakhar Jeje Odongo, who seemingly ignored her and strolled previous her to shake fingers with the 2 males, footage exhibits.
The minister greeted Michel and Macron, participating in a dialog with the 2. Odongo then stood for the protocol photograph, nonetheless with out acknowledging von der Leyen. It took an effort from Macron motioning in her route to attract Odongo’s consideration to the Fee president. He then briefly exchanged phrases along with her and left the photograph op.
The incident instantly invoked comparisons with the notorious ‘Sofagate’ scandal that unfolded in April final yr. Again then, von der Leyen visited Turkey alongside Michel, assembly the nation’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The official was left sitting alone on a settee, whereas Erdogan and Michel have been offered gilded chairs to take a seat subsequent to 1 one other through the talks.
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Strain mounts on Charles Michel in ‘Sofagate’ sexism row as Ursula von der Leyen speaks of ‘harm’ following Turkey journey snub
The scandal prompted accusations of sexism and misogyny in opposition to Erdogan and landed Michel in scorching water for failing to face up for von der Leyen. Whereas EU and Turkish officers alike tried to brush off the affair as a misunderstanding of protocols, von der Leyen mentioned the incident left her feeling “alone” each “as a lady and as a European.”
Michel’s obvious lack of motion throughout the brand new incident drew recent criticism, with some accusing the official of drawing no classes from ‘Sofagate’. The photograph op awkwardness, nonetheless, drew considerably much less consideration than the unique scandal, with not one of the officers concerned providing any touch upon the scenario.
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