Posted: Jun 10, 2019 12:58 pm
Thommo wrote:This struck me as interesting news the other day:
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/jean-claude-j ... 43821.htmlJean-Claude Juncker has complained that as president of the European Commission he does not have a “stately home” to live in or a private jet, according to reports.
The Times says the EC president feels “embarrassed” at the lack of an official residence to entertain visiting diplomats and world leaders.
The top EU official has revealed his personal embarrassment at not having an impressive official residence to entertain European or world leaders.
I seem to recall there was some discussion, somewhere along this long journey, about whether Juncker was a civil servant and whether that justified his appointment rather than election. I wondered whether there were any heads of civil servants in the world who expressed similar regret, or had similar trappings.
Probably not. Presidents, just as monarchs, tend to live in impressive residences so they don't feel "embarrassed" I guess. I do not understand why it has to be impressive myself, however, never really heard anyone complaining about it or disputing it. Where does the British PM meet presidents?
Look son, this is where the president lives. I was never impressed but I was never impressed by the authorities so to me it was a cool story.