Jean-Claude Juncker has just finished his term as European Commission President, for better or for worse. During the past five years at the helm of the European Union, he has been at the centre of many hilarious gaffes and strangely touchy-feely scenes which have made the headlines around the globe. Here are some of Juncker’s best (or should we say worst?) moments.
1 – Juncker gets rid of the Greek debt
A playful Juncker was spotted trying to get rid of Greek debt by hitting Greek Finance Minister Venizelos over the head. The gesture came right after agreeing to a second bailout for Greece for the value of 130 billion euro, all the way back in 2012.
2 – Kisses, kisses, and more kisses
Juncker has a true passion for kissing, hugging, groping, manhandling and hand-holding with his colleagues. So much that there are entire compilations of Juncker’s most touchy-feely-kissy moments out there. This particular shot shows Juncker blessing then European Parliament President Martin Schulz Pope-style. A special shout-out to Nigel Farage in the background, who looks like he can’t wait for his turn.
Juncker’s kisses have made a strong impact on his staff. Outgoing UK Commissioner Julian King has admitted that he “will miss warm hugs and the occasional kisses from [his] boss”. Heartwarming.
3 – Who hasn’t dreamt of slapping Orban in the face?
Juncker offered a very cheeky welcome to Hungarian PM Viktor Orban during the now-infamous 2015 summit in Riga, Latvia. “Here comes the dictator”, he greeted, followed by a friendly slap in the face. This same summit also saw the President comparing ties with various other European leaders and giving out kisses like candy.
4 – And dragging him off stage, too
That’s one awkward handshake there.
5 – Out of sight, out of mind
In the early days after the Brexit referendum, Juncker tried to physically block photographers from snapping photos of Nigel Farage in the European Parliament. Perhaps attempting to make the media forget of his existence?
Farage and Juncker have a history of messing around with each other in the European Parliament. Despite their incendiary speeches against one another, in the past they’ve been pictured arm-wrestling, high-fiving, hugging, and all other sorts of friendly interactions. Farage once told the press, “I like Juncker… he’s the only person who makes me feel I haven’t got a drinking problem!”. True frenemies.
6 – Mocking Theresa May’s dancing
Juncker did a wiggle as he got on stage at an event in Brussels last year. Just a week before that, then British PM Theresa May had danced to ABBA’s ‘Dancing Queen‘ during her arrival at the Conservative Party conference.
7 – Ruffling hair
Juncker made headlines again in late 2018 with his bizarre behaviour at a European Council Summit. A video showed him walking up to EU’s deputy head of protocol Pernilla Sjölin and ruffling her hair before giving her a kiss on the cheek. Earlier that year, he had done the same thing to MEP Guy Verhofstadt, who was similarly unamused.
8 – Munching on a microphone
A clip from all the way back when he was merely Luxembourg’s Prime Minister. He was captured while attempting to chomp down onto a microphone from Euronews. The whole event was caught on camera, ironically only by the UK’s BBC.
9 – Juncker personally enforcing austerity on Spain
In the same meeting which saw him hitting Greek Minister Venizelos, Juncker also attempted to jokingly strangle his Spanish counterpart, Luis De Guindos, for trying to modify Spain’s bailout conditions. Worry not – the gesture soon appeared to change into a laughing friendly greeting.
10 – A well-deserved nap
In 2017, Juncker apparently fell asleep in the Vatican during the celebration of the EU’s 60th anniversary. There’s nothing quite like a power nap to reinvigorate the spirit. Hopefully, he’ll be able to rest much more with his impending retirement!
