More than excuses. The gaffe, but it would be better to say the unworthy genuflection to the Turkish Erdogan, of the President of the European Council Charles Michel cannot pass in cavalry. And the president of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, humiliated by the lack of a chair at the now famous meeting in Ankara on April 6, did very well not to answer Michel's phone calls in search of impossible justifications.
This morning Michel tried to run for cover with a series of interviews with the main European newspapers including the Sole 24 Ore. But your words are not convincing and cannot be enough to repair the serious damage that you have caused not only to Von der Leyen but to the European Union with your astonishing passivity in the face of the arrogance of the "dictator" Erdogan. Passivity made even more striking by the very different reaction of Prime Minister Mario Draghi to the Turkish rudeness.
“I am very sorry for what happened – Michel tried to justify himself – I have already expressed my regret to Mrs. Von der Leyen and to all the women. I assure you that since then I have not slept well at night and that in my head I have rewound the film of the episode dozens of times. I assume my share of responsibility. We will have to avoid such situations in the future.” But to avoid them, a strong response from Europe is needed and Michel needs to leave the scene as soon as possible. His passivity in front of Erdogan and at the expense of Von der Leyen and Europe has plastically testified to his inadequacy. And it is no coincidence that a growing group of MEPs, mainly socialists, is collecting signatures to ask for his resignation. This is also proposed by the president of the European Movement, Piervirgilio Dastoli, historical assistant of Altiero Spinelli, who suggests that the European Parliament conclude the debate on the Turkish crime with a resolution of political disapproval of Michel's actions, to put an end to his mandate for "gross negligence". Fortunately, Michel's mandate will expire at the end of the year, but kicking him out sooner would be godsend.
