Universitetsavisen
Nørregade 10
1165 København K
Tlf: 35 32 28 98 (mon-thurs)
E-mail: uni-avis@adm.ku.dk
—
Politics
DANISH NEWS: PM accused of inappropriate behaviour for posing for a 'selfie' with US President Barack Obama and British PM David Cameron
The photo shows President Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron, and Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt laughing and smiling for a smartphone at Nelson Mandela’s remembrance service, reports seven59.dk and Berlingske.
”I fail to see how anybody could be offended by this picture. It was taken at a stadium, not in church, where the general mood was a tribute to Nelson Mandella and, as one TV commentator said, more like a football match than a remembrance service,” said a spokesperson.
A series of hilarious follow-up photos, practically screaming for a caption contest, show Obama laughing with Thorning-Schmidt and touching her arm before turning inexplicably somber. The first lady, seen staring into the distance, looks stern — dare we say disapproving? — throughout.
The Social Democrats’ policy spokesman, Magnus Heunicke, rejected the criticism, saying it was a ‘charming’ photo that reflected the good chemistry between three colleagues.
The image of the three leaders went viral on the internet, although most viewers were unable to identify the ‘blond babe’ in the middle – some even speculated it was Hollywood star Cameron Diaz.
Read the news article from Berlingske here (in Danish)
universitypost@adm.ku.dk
Like us on Facebook for features, guides and tips on upcoming events. Follow us on Twitter for links to other Copenhagen academia news stories. Sign up for the University Post weekly newsletter here.