Jean Claude Juncker tears into the European Parliament

Jean Claude Juncker tears into the European Parliament

Jean Claude Juncker today angrily branded the European Parliament 'ridiculous' after just 30 MEPs bothered to turn up for a meeting.

The President of the European Commission launched a furious attack on the institution as he vented his frustration at politicians who had skipped the session.

He accused Eurocrats of failing to show 'respect' by missing the meeting with the Maltese.  

His remarks sparked an angry exchange with European Parliament President Antonio Tajani, who told him off for being disrespectful.  

The heated exchange between the squabbling Eurocrats descended into a row between which EU institution should be shown more respect. 

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Jean Claude Juncker tore into the European Parliament, branding it 'ridiculous' after only 30 MEPs  bothered to show up for a session on the Maltese presidency of the European Council

Speaking to a near-empty parliamentary session this morning, a very frustrated Mr Juncker said that the institution would be full if German Chancellor Angela Merkel or French President Emmanuel Macron was addressing it.

But he suggested that MEPs had deserted their duty because the debate was about the Maltese presidency of the European Council. 

He said: ‘I would like to welcome those that have actually taken the trouble to turn out this morning.

'But the fact there are only about 30 members of Parliament present in this debate only really illustrates the fact that Parliament is not serious in this.

'I’m putting that to you today. If Mrs (Angela) Merkel or Mr (Emmanuel) Macron perhaps would have be there there would have been full.’  

European Parliament President Antonio Tajani angrily interrupted Mr Juncker and accused him of showing a lack of respect to MEPs

Jean Claude Juncker launched his furious attack after only around 30 MEPs bothered to show up for the session in Strasbourg this morning 

But Mr Tajani angrily interrupted and demanded that Mr Juncker show some respect.

In a fiery exchange and wagging his finger, he said: ‘Mr President, could you please have a more respectful attitude?

'You may criticise the Parliament yes, but the Commission does not control the Parliament, it’s the Parliament that should be controlling the Commission.’

But Mr Juncker hit back branding the Commission 'ridiculous' and said he will 'never again' attend such a session.

He said: ‘There are only a few members in the plenary to control the Commission. You are ridiculous.' 

But Mr Tajani angrily interrupts him a gain and says: ‘Mr President, I will ask you please to change your language. We are not ridiculous, please. Please.’

Mr Juncker: ‘I will never again, I will never again attend a meeting of this kind. 

'The Commission is under the control of the parliament but the Parliament has to respect even the presidencies of smaller countries, which is what the Parliament is not doing.'

THE ANGRY EXCHANGE BETWEEN JEAN CLAUDE JUNCKER AND ANTONIO TAJANI 

Jean Claude Juncker:

‘I would like to welcome those that have actually taken the trouble to turn out this morning.

'But the fact there are only about 30 members of Parliament present in this debate only really illustrates the fact that Parliament is not serious in this.

‘I’m putting that to you today…..If Mrs Merkel or Mr Macron perhaps would have be there would have been (a)full (house).’

Antonio Tajani: ‘Mr President, could you please have a more respectful attitude. 

'You may criticise the Parliament, yes but the Commission does not control the Parliament it’s the Parliament that should be controlling the Commission.’     

Juncker:

‘There are only a few members in the plenary to control the Commission.

‘You are ridiculous.

‘I wanted to pay tribute to the Maltese….’

Tajani: ‘Mr President, I will ask you please to change your language. We are not ridiculous. 

'Please. Please.’

Juncker: ‘I will never again, I will never again attend a meeting of this kind. 

'The Commission is under the control of the Parliament but the Parliament has to respect even the presidencies of smaller countries, w hich is what the Parliament is not doing.   

 

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