Don't heckle, I'm texting Tsipras, EU's Juncker tells MEPs

Image
AFP Strasbourg (France)
Last Updated : Jul 07 2015 | 9:07 PM IST
Angry European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker berated euro MPs who heckled him for looking at his phone during a parliamentary debate today, saying he was texting the Greek prime minister.
Juncker's exchange of messages with Alexis Tsipras came just hours before an emergency eurozone summit called after debt-stricken Greeks overwhelmingly voted 'No' to further austerity measures in a referendum at the weekend.
"Stop all this chatter about me looking at my telephone all the time. I am texting, as they say in Franglais, with the Greek prime minister," a clearly irritated Juncker, speaking in French, told the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
"I don't know if you will have the chance to do the same but I have to do that today. I am doing my work, so stop this stupid banter, for which there is no cause."
Former Luxembourg premier Juncker was heckled by several MEPs, including members of the eurosceptic UK Independence Party who had placed Union Jack flags on their desks, over his handling of the Greek crisis.
For months Juncker was the link man with leftist premier Tsipras, but after a series of late-night meetings and chummy photo opportunities produced no bailout deal, Juncker said last week he felt "betrayed" by the calling of the referendum.
Today he again accused the Greeks of a "serious error" in walking out of talks but said that his "wish is that a 'Grexit' should be avoided.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jul 07 2015 | 9:07 PM IST

Next Story