RTFri, 13 Jul 2018 17:34 UTC
© Associated PressEU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker AP
EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker was caught on film losing his balance and stumbling as he was surrounded by world leaders. Some say he was suffering from back pain, while others speculate that he was simply drunk.
Meeting with NATO leaders seems to be a rather trying ordeal for Junker, as the EU Commission chief was seen barely keeping his balance at a ceremony ahead of a gala dinner on Wednesday, forcing those standing nearby, including Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, to take his arm. Juncker was also struggling to make his way down the stairs with Macedonian and Portuguese PMs Zoran Zaev and Antonio Costa, who stepped in to assist him.
Some people on Twitter speculated that Juncker may have had a few too many. "Shameful appearance," German politician Martin Reichardt from the Alternative for Germany party tweeted. Reichardt
said that Juncker was "apparently" drunk as he could hardly stand on his feet.
EU officials said that the 63-year-old was simply suffering from back pain. Juncker was also pictured leaving NATO headquarter through a side entrance in a wheelchair.
© Jasper Juinen / Getty ImagesEU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker
"He doesn't have a serious health problem as far as I am aware of but he does have a back problem for some time," Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said. "It is a problem in a sense that he sometimes has these pain attacks."
Comment: Further
reporting from RT:
EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker is recovering from "painful attack of sciatica" he suffered at the meeting in Brussels, the commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas has said rebuffing "insulting" rumors of drunkenness.
"The president Wednesday night suffered from a very particularly painful attack of sciatica accompanied by cramps," EU Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas told a daily briefing as cited by AFP. Sciatica is a medical condition that may cause pain going down the leg from the lower back.
The spokesman also blasted "insulting headlines" that were "exploiting president Juncker's pain." He added that Juncker made no secret about his illness and is currently on medication and feels better.
The two possibilities are not mutually exclusive. Junker may indeed suffer debilitating back pain, which he attributes to a car accident several years ago. He may
also be an alcoholic, as several EU leaders have publicly speculated.
In 2014 the
Independent reported:
Jean-Claude Juncker: 'Incoming' EC chief under scrutiny amid 'cognac for breakfast' claims
The ex-Luxembourg PM, who is expected to be appointed head of the European Commission, has had his lifestyle reportedly become the topic of senior EU talks
Luxembourg's former Prime Minister is expected to be appointed as the head of the European Commission later today despite concerns over his lifestyle - most notably drinking.
Senior EU diplomats are alleged to have previously raised concerns about Jean-Claude Juncker's drinking habits at high level meetings, with one source claiming that he "has cognac for breakfast."
One Brussels official told the Daily Telegraph: "His alcohol consumption has been raised by a number of leaders since the parliament election."
There have been unsubstantiated stories about him apparently drinking at Eurogroup meetings when he was President, which have led some to raise doubts about his ability to effectively manage the impending much larger role.
According to the Financial Times, some officials say that while drinking does not affect his judgement, they think it could complicate matters relating to his management, including potentially adding to the disorganisation of late-night sessions.
Mr Juncker's successor in the top job of Eurogroup President, Jeroen Dijssebloem, publicly aired allegations about his predecessor's proclivities on a Dutch talkshow in January saying that he is a "heavy smoker and drinker," who ignored the rules on drinking in meetings.
According to the Luxemburger Wort, Mr Dijsselbloem also said on the chat show that no-one was ever incapacitated at the meetings he attended.
Mr Juncker has previously denied vigorously that he has any problem with alcohol.
Comment: Further reporting from RT: The two possibilities are not mutually exclusive. Junker may indeed suffer debilitating back pain, which he attributes to a car accident several years ago. He may also be an alcoholic, as several EU leaders have publicly speculated.
In 2014 the Independent reported: