The president’s much hyped trip to Strasbourg drew ridicule from certain quarters on social media as he addressed a near empty parliament.
President Nikos Christodoulides opened his speech by expressing his thanks for the invitation to “speak before all of you” – with about 40 people in attendance. It was not immediately clear how many were photographers and members of staff.
Others noted that comments made by European parliament President Roberta Metsola also rang hollow in the near empty hall.
“Your challenges are Europe’s too – it’s not just a Cyprus question but a Europe question,” she said, but few showed up to hear.
Rows of nearly empty seats can be seen during the president’s speech.
But others on social media went as far to claim that photos released from Christodoulides’ trip were photoshopped, with some images in stark contrast to his initial appearance at the podium.
Indeed, the European parliament only began to fill up about an hour and 20 minutes into his session, and about 90 minutes in, the parliament appears full.
