Madness of King Juncker? Brussels boss greets EU team in bizarre images
EMBATTLED European Commission leader Jean-Claude Juncker has been trying to spread the love again in Brussels with with his trademark kisses, cuddles and hugs.
Jean-Claude Juncker greets team with slaps and kisses
Some recipients of his ostentatious show of friendliness seemed less than impressed as he ruffled hair, massaged shoulders and embraced colleagues before the commission’s weekly meeting.
He was pictured planting a kiss on the bald head of Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs Piere Moscovici before moving on to German Commissioner for the Digital Economy and Society Guenther Oettinger who he greeted with neck-rub.
It is not the first time Mr Juncker’s touchy-feely behaviour has raised eyebrows in the chamber.
Jean-Claude Junker greets Pierre Moscovici by planting a kiss on his bald pate
Juncker claims nations WON'T EXIST without EU
Jean-Claude Junker greets and uncomfortable Johannes Hahn with a head rub
Last year bizarre video footage emerged of Brussels’ top bureaucrat slapping world leaders and hugging an awkward looking Francois Hollande at an EU summit.
He is seen repeatedly slapping member states’ leaders in the face, hopping from foot to foot dancing and even kissing one male delegate after marvelling that they were wearing the same colour tie.
In the clip he was also overheard calling Hungarian leader Viktor Orban a “dictator” in front of journalists.
It's a neck massage for German Commissioner Guenther Oettinger
And a warm embrace for Britsh Commissioner for Security Union Julian King
Mr Juncker has always hit back at critics of his unstatesmanlike behaviour in the often dour surroundings id Europe’s corridors of power, insisting he is “a human being, not a robot”.
But a few months ago he was forced to deny having a drink problem when rumours that circulated around Brussels for many years came to the surface with one senior diplomatic source claiming he “has cognac for breakfast”.
During the interview with French newspaper Liberation he defended his record as he consumed numerous classes of champagne.
Jean-Claude Juncker gives a wary Dimitris Avramopoulos a warm welcome
And it's a hug for EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini
He said: "Orban, I always call dictator, I am like this. As soon as someone breaks the mould they are obviously crazy or an alcoholic.
"You think I’d still be in office if I was having cognac for breakfast? It really makes me sad and it has even led my wife to question if I lie to her, as I do not drink when I'm home."
He went on to blame his often unsteady walking on problems with his leg after a serious car accident.