Social media users quickly adopted the new hashtag after two EU leaders visited Turkey, and only one was offered to sit in a chair during the meeting.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her colleague Charles Michel, President of the European Council, met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan this week. In the auditorium, two seats are located between the flags of the European Union and Turkey. Michelle got one, and Erdoan arrested the other, leaving Der Leyen to stand.
“Hmm…” Van der Leyen mumbled as she assessed the situation, raised a hand to ask, as shown in the video clip posted on Twitter.
Finally, she sat down on the side sofa as the photographer photographed the two men. On the side sofa, opposite MevlütÇavuşoğlu, Turkey̵
7;s foreign minister sits.The New York Times noted that Der Leyen and Michelle had equal positions among EU leaders and that Der Leyen were superior to Schwusolu.
After the incident spread to the internet, an outcry began, with many saying it hinted at Turkish women’s views on women. Days before the meeting, Turkey left the Istanbul Convention, a treaty aimed at ending violence against women, the Times reports.
“#GiveHerASeat” started gaining popularity, initially in Europe and elsewhere.
First, they withdrew from the Istanbul Convention and now they leave the Chair of the European Commission without a seat on their official visit.
– Iratxe Garcia Perez / ♥ ️ (@IratxeGarper) April 6, 2021
“Um” is a new word for “That’s not the EU-Turkey relationship that should be.” #GiveHerASeat #EU #Turkey #womensrights pic.twitter.com/vGVFutDu0S
– Sergey Lagodinsky (@SLagodinsky) April 6, 2021
Ladies first That’s what you mean, Mr.President, right? #GiveHerASeat https://t.co/X2eraa33Zl
– Brent Goff (@brentgofftv) April 6, 2021
EU spokesman Eric Mamer told the Times that von der Leyen “should sit in the same manner as the President of the European Parliament and the President of Turkey”.
Mamer did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.
