The EU's High Representative on Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, did not measure the impact of his harsh criticism of climate campaigners and has had to apologise more than three times in less than 24 hours. Borrell referred to those who follow Norwegian activist Greta Thunberg as the "Greta syndrome" and doubts their willingness to sacrifice their standard of living for the climate's sake .
After his trip in the US, Borrell uses the weekend to repeat again: "I want to apologise to anyone that may have felt offended by my inappropriate reference to the important youth movement fighting climate change."
Just coming back from US trip, and I want to apologise to anyone that may have felt offended by my inappropriate reference to the important youth movement fighting #climatechange
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) February 8, 2020
This is not the first time he has apologised through his Twitter profile. Yesterday, he said young campaigners "inspire politicians and societies. Climate change is one of biggest geopolitical challenges".
Youth movements to fight #ClimateChange have my full support and inspire politicians & societies. Climate change is one of biggest geopolitical challenges, we can't afford costs of inaction. (1)
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) February 7, 2020
Or in another tweet where he expresses the need for "Just Transition Mechanism" to address social and economic change:
To be successful, we also need to tackle social and economic costs of the transition with Just Transition Mechanism. (2) #EUGreenDealhttps://t.co/bzOc14eV17
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) February 7, 2020
His apologies do not seem to please climate campaigners or a considerable number of MEPs or even the European Commission. Some MEPs, like Ireland's Grace O'Sullivan, have also positioned themselves publicly: "Mr Borrell, these children are not suffering from a syndrome - they’re fighting for their future on a liveable planet. You should be doing the same".
I’m at the #FridaysForFuture #ClimateStrike demonstration in #Waterford now.
— Grace O'Sullivan MEP (@GraceOSllvn) February 7, 2020
Mr #Borrell these children are not suffering from a syndrome - they’re fighting for their future on a liveable planet. You should be doing the same https://t.co/a0AAM2g2IT pic.twitter.com/AsA9BKnu5M
This is the controversial interview:
— SolsElPobleSalvaElPoble (@davidpuigv) February 7, 2020