Footage of Jean-Claude Juncker staggering around NATO summit sparks claims EU boss ‘was drunk on the job’
FOOTAGE of Jean-Claude Juncker staggering around the NATO summit sparked fresh claims the EU President was drunk on the job.
The famously thirsty Eurocrat was seen being propped up and helped down steps by world leaders while mingling with Donald Trump and Theresa May before a big dinner in Brussels.
AP:Associated Press
Jean Claude Juncker was seen being helped to walk at the Nato summitThe excruciating video shows him being aided by Ukraine’s president Petro Poroshenko, and at one point Mrs May walked past, looking on in apparent concern.
Photos also emerged of Mr Juncker appearing to mock the US President by sitting in the American chief’s seat and posing for the cameras.
He was later seen leaving the security alliance meeting in a wheelchair - with allies insisting that he was suffering from a painful back condition.
The 63 year old has previously claimed he suffered from sciatica - which can affect movement.
AP:Associated Press
The Eurocrat was seen being propped up and helped down steps by world leaders while mingling with Donald Trump and Theresa MayEU officials insisted the incident was a reoccurrence of the Brussels chief’s longstanding illness and pointed out he was back on duty at NATO first thing on Thursday.
But Martin Reichardt, an MP for the far-right Alternative for Germany party, accused Mr Juncker of a “shameless appearance” and being “falling down drunk”.
During a speech in Ireland last month he explained that the condition made him unsteady on his feet, joking he’d “prefer to be drunk”.
However it is far from the first time that the former Luxembourg premier’s alleged fondness for refreshment has got him into trouble.
He faced questions about his fitness for office in 2017 after staggering around at UN peace conference.
Diplomats said he was “very visibly p***ed” during key talks in Geneva over Cyprus.
Getty Images - Getty
He was also seen in a wheelchair - sparking fears for his healthReuters
He was seen stumbling and losing his balance several times - and had to be held to kept upright
SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP
Donald Trump met by Theresa May as he arrives at Blenheim Palace
MAY'S WHITEMARE
House of Commons suspended amid chaos over PM’s Brexit White Paper
BREXITEERS' REVOLT
May faces Tory rebellion as MPs bid to formally block Chequers plan
merked woman
PM 'told MPs Brexit plan won't change as Merkel cleared it BEFORE Chequers'
EU CHIEF
The history of Jean-Claude Juncker's denials about alcoholism
PM'S LIFESAVER
Diabetic Theresa May reveals patch which monitors her blood sugar
'EUROPE'S LEADING IDIOT'
Smug EU boss blasted for tweet mocking England's World Cup exit
'BREXIT IS BREXIT'
Trump slams PM’s Brexit plans as not being what Brits voted for
GRUB STASH PLAN
Ministers draw up plans to stockpile food in case of 'no deal' BrexitHe caused a stir during the conference with his drink-fuelled erratic behaviour.
It included collisions with people and furniture, and being very familiar with junior aides
And at an EU summit in Latvia in 2015 a clearly inebriated Mr Juncker slapped a series of arriving EU leaders in the face in front of TV cameras.
He also loudly branded Hungary’s PM Viktor Orban “a dictator” as he arrived, before also slapping him in the face.
Bonkers Euro boss Jean-Claude Juncker's oddest moments - from Benny Hill head slapping to bizarre outbursts