EU SLAP DOWN: Verhofstadt in furious Twitter spat with Weber over Europe's identity
GUY VERHOFSTADT has taken a dig at fellow European Parliament heavyweight Manfred Weber in a Twitter spat over the European Union’s identity.
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Mr Weber, chairman of the EPP grouping, sparked the row when he posted an image of Jesus Christ on a cross in Palermo’s Church of San Cataldo, urging a debate on “identity and dominant culture”.
The full Twitter post read: “If we want to defend our way of life we must know what determines us.
“Europe needs a debate on identity and dominant culture.”
Mr Verhofstadt launched his own tirade back at his European Parliament counterpart, branding the German’s comments despicable.
Guy Verhofstadt slammed Manfred Weber during a Twitter spat over European identity
If we want to defend our way of life we must know what determines us. Europe needs a debate on identity and dominant culture. pic.twitter.com/3qbJVysNUi
— Manfred Weber (@ManfredWeber) April 2, 2018
Europe needs a debate on identity and dominant culture
The former Belgian prime minister insisted the EU’s policy of tolerance, rule of law and respect should be followed.
He said: “The notion of a ‘dominant culture’ is abhorrent.
“Quite rightly, the EU’s motto is ‘united in diversity’.
“What we need is tolerance, respect for each other’s culture, religious freedom and the rule of law.”
This notion of a "dominant culture" is abhorrent. Quite rightly, the EU's motto is "united in diversity." What we need is tolerance, respect for each other's culture, religious freedom and the #RuleofLaw. https://t.co/ZTB01ggRMn
— Guy Verhofstadt (@guyverhofstadt) April 3, 2018
While Mr Verhofstadt was attempting to defend his visions for the EU, Brexiteers jumped on the German’s Twitter post.
Twitter users remade Mr Weber’s image to encapsulate the feeling of Britons who believe the EU has damaged the UK’s identity.
One user, who describes himself as a “Brexit Pragmateer”, posted the same words from Mr Weber, but with a Union Jack flag behind.
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Other users, however, accused Mr Weber making the post “straight out of the Viktor Orban playbook”.
The Hungarian prime minister said his country didn’t want “Muslim invaders”, with his comments made after he met with Germany’s Christian Social Union, who Mr Weber is a member.
With those comments in mind, Twitter users declared Mr Weber’s post “utterly nasty” and “disgraceful”.