Hockey jersey, selfies and applause: Carney mobbed by fans at EU speech as one member chanted 'USA' - National Post
Among the MEPs showing their support for Carney was German politician Terry Reintke, who wore a Sidney Crosby Team Canada jersey to Carney's speech. Photo by Terry Reintke/InstagramArticle contentPrime Minister Mark Carney’s highly anticipated address to the European Parliament on Thursday was frequently interrupted by applause from the lawmakers in the room, and ended to a hearty standing ovation followed by expressions of support on social media from politicians across Europe.
Carney, who has welcomed the European Union’s invitation to become its first-ever “associate member,” pitched Canada as a natural ally for the bloc of 27 European countries in the face of increasing trade volatility by U.S. President Donald Trump.
And the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) appear to have thrown their support behind him following the speech in the European Parliament’s hemicycle in Strasbourg, France, on Thursday morning.
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Carney’s popularity with European lawmakers became evident before his speech even began, with the MEPs already present in the hemicycle breaking into applause as the PM walked in.
In fact, Carney’s address to the European Parliament was delayed by roughly ten minutes as dozens of European lawmakers huddled around to shake his hand, exchange some words and, occasionally, take a selfie.
Video footage from the minutes before his address showed Carney surrounded by photographers as he made his way around the room and interacted with the other politicians.
Among the MEPs showing their support for Carney was Terry Reintke, a German politician and co-president of the Greens–European Free Alliance Group.
She wore a Sidney Crosby Team Canada jersey and was all smiles as she posed for a picture with Carney before he spoke, while MEPs cheered in the background.
Sharing a picture of them on social media shortly after, Reintke wrote: “Welcome bienvenue Canada,” accompanied by emojis depicting the Canada flag, the European flag and a red heart.
