Juncker goes with one final jibe at britain
JEAN-CLAUDE Juncker took a final swipe at Britain yesterday, claiming Brexit had made the EU more popular.
On his last working day as European Commission president he bragged: “Support for the European Union is at an all-time high. I would chalk this up in no small part to the debate around Brexit, which highlighted the merits of European membership.
“That people are singing [Europe anthem] Ode To Joy in the streets of London or that my in-tray is overflowing with love letters from British citizens is surely testament to this.” The former Luxembourg prime minister will be replaced by Ursula von der Leyen on
Monday.
Mr Juncker will be remembered for his gaffes during a fiveyear tenure as president, from falling off a stage, to wearing mismatched shoes, to almost setting fire to the first lady of Rwanda. Donald Tusk has also stepped down as European Council president.
The outgoing EU presidents will pocket nearly £432,000 between them in so-called “transitional allowances” paid to departing Eurocrats.
Mr Juncker, 64, will get a £144,000, and Mr Tusk, 62, could trouser up to £288,000.
Former Brussels bureaucrats are entitled to monthly payouts.
As the bloc’s most senior officials, the pair were paid more than £350,000. The handouts will begin the day after they leave office.
Brexit Party MEP Rupert Lowe said: “Tusk and Juncker have spent their time in office ridiculing and insulting the United Kingdom and Brexiteers.
“Unfortunately their successors... will be no different. Arrogant, hypocritical bureaucrats who do not deserve another penny of British taxpayers’ money.”
‘Juncker and Tusk have spent their time ridiculing the UK and Brexit’