EU President has the charisma of a damp rag

[Andres]

Ukip's Nigel Farage tells Van Rompuy: You have the charisma of a damp rag.

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Ukip MEP Nigel Farage told Herman Van Rompuy, the president of the EU, he had "all the charisma of a damp rag and the appearance of a low-grade bank clerk" in the European parliament yesterday.
Farage, the former leader of the UK Independence party, also dismissed Van Rompuy's homeland, Belgium, as a "non-country".

As well as attacking Van Rompuy's appearance, personality and home nation, Farage also criticised the president's pay packet and accused him of plotting the overthrow of the nation state.
Van Rompuy, who had just made his first speech to MEPs since being appointed by EU leaders to the newly-created top job, sat in amazement and obvious discomfort as the tirade went on. Other MEPs in the less-than-full chamber gasped as Farage spoke.

Afterwards the Socialist leader in the parliament, Germany's Martin Schulz, condemned Farage for "trampling on the dignity of the house".

And Van Rompuy responded that he held Farage's remarks "in contempt", and refused to say more.
Farage – who is challenging the Speaker of the Commons, John Bercow, in Buckingham at the general election – declared: "We were told that when we had a president, we'd see a giant global political figure, a man who would be the political leader for 500 million people, the man that would represent all of us all of us on the world stage, the man whose job was so important that of course you're paid more than President [Barack] Obama."

He continued: "Well, I'm afraid what we got was you ... I don't want to be rude but, really, you have the charisma of a damp rag and the appearance of a low-grade bank clerk and the question I want to ask is: 'Who are you? I'd never heard of you. Nobody in Europe had ever heard of you.'"
Farage went on: "I can speak on behalf of the majority of British people in saying that we don't know you, we don't want you, and the sooner you are put out to grass, the better."
The former Ukip leader told Van Rompuy: "I have no doubt that your intention is to be the quiet assassin of European democracy and of European nation states."

That, added Farage, was probably because Van Rompuy came from "pretty much a non-country" so had no interest in the nation state.

Van Rompuy, 62, was the surprise compromise choice as the new president of the council – a role created by the Lisbon treaty and one which some thought should and would go to Tony Blair as an internationally-recognised new face for the EU.

Van Rompuy, the former Belgian prime minister, was credited with turning his country's fortunes around last year. He made clear he would not be a "globe-trotting" leader of the EU, considering himself more a "chairman" of the EU's council of national governments.
The centre-right politician quietly enjoys his nickname as the "grey mouse" and is known for writing haiku poetry.

Given a final say in the form of a right of reply after Farage and other – friendlier – MEPs had commented on his speech, Van Rompuy remarked: "There was one contribution that I can only hold in contempt, but I'm not going to comment further."

Dear Mister Farage,

Let's see:

- "You are the quiet assassin of European democracy ..."

Van Rompuy is merely the chairman of the European Council. He leads meetings and notes down votes. He has no real power whatsoever. What's so undemocratic about that?

His job is a by product of the Lisbon treaty, a treaty which limits Britain's veto-behaviour. In fact, it's a step towards true European democracy: less veto right (veto is basically a decisive "no" by a minority; very democratic, isn't it?), more qualified majorities, more importance for the European Parlement.

- and from the states.

Hey, if you don't like it, then just leave. Why is this guy sitting there, accepting his fat monthly pay cheque if he hates Europe so much? If Britain hates Europe so much, then why don't they leave the Union alltogether? Hypocrisy.

They can leave the Union and make bilateral treaties with EU member states if they want. But no, they don't leave. They whine, but don't have the guts to be consequent.

It's more difficult for Britain now to sabotage Europe. So much is true. No more veto by one country ("oooh! That's undemocratic!" Then leave our tyranny!). Voting by qualified majority will become more and more standard procedure (exceptions: relationships with external powers, taxes, defence are still to be decided unanimous) Qualfied majority = 55 % of the member states who have at least 65 % of the number of inhabitants have to agree. Very undemocratic, isn't it?

If the proposal comes from the European Council, it needs 72 % of the member states to agree. How undemocratic! It should be 50 % +1! Something tells me that is not quiet what Mister Farage meant.



- maybe it's because you are from Belgium, a non-country!

Who was among the firsts to recognise this non-country? Yep, your country, mister Farage.

Besides, what about the territory of your country? It isn't very clear to me. It's more a condominium instead of a state. Oversea territory, what belongs to the crown, what doesn't belong to the crown, ... Very confusing...

And if we're talking about the European context, well, it seems to me that Britain is the non-European state here. No member of the Euro. Hundreds of exceptions and opt-outs. If there's one member state that is not a true member state aka a non-member state, then it's Britain.



-We don't know you so we don't want you.

Typical for a xenophobe party...

Besides, we didn't know you too before your intervention. Now that we know you, we don't want you either.

Good manners, decency, style, respect : zero. Not to mention the blunder of outright insulting a befriended nation. Go wash your mouth with brown soap and don't you ever come back again, Mister Farage.

I guess that at least he now has something to tell his grandchildren and his friends at the local pub.