EU leader Jean Claude Juncker showed the ultimate display of power today, according to a body language expert who an analysed the behaviour of European leaders at the European Union Council summit in Brussels.
The 63-year-old Luxembourgish politician has been in the role since November 2014, and was previously the Prime Minister of Luxembourg.
The European Commission President had prime ministers kneeling at his feet as he spoke to them at the roundtable meeting between the EU’s leaders.
A body language expert has analysed the footage exclusively for Express.co.uk.
“It was ‘An audience with…’ time at the EU summit as leader Jean Claude Juncker appeared to hold court, sitting splayed and slumped in his seat, while various other world leaders came to bend the knee in what looked like an over-congruent act of obeisance,” Judi James said.
“When Macron refused to both shake hands with the EU leader earlier while he stood and Juncker remained in his seat it did look mightily like a snub from the French president,” Judi said.
“But one glance at the body language alternative shown by Mark Rutte and Charles Michel suggests Macron’s was a smart move to avoid the status-crushing experience of stooping right to the floor to be tucked beneath Juncker’s armpit while he jabs his index finger in a stabbing gesture like the man who is calling all of the shots.”
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel sat with Mr Juncker’s arm draped over him as the pair spoke on Friday morning.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte was then seen kneeling at the feet of Mr Juncker as the Commission remains in his seat.
Jean Claude Juncker took stayed in his seat throughout these interactions, in a way Judi suggests is similar to a patriarch.
She said: “The overall effect is to suggest that Juncker is commanding shows of obedience from other EU leaders and making them perform submissive rituals as they do so.
“The best you could describe it as is paternal although it is an unusual ritual to do to high-ranking adults.”
Juncker, who is the man charged with negotiating a new deal with Britain after Brexit, recently claimed Britain would be better off if he was prime minister.
Mr Juncker said Theresa May had not briefed him on the Chequers meeting of her Brexit negotiations “war cabinet” when ministers agreed a broad policy for the next stage of negotiations, on trade.
He then quipped: “I am not the British prime minister. It would be good for Britain if I was, but I’m not.”
Judi added: “Juncker raised his hand with the palm held towards himself to appear to conduct and choreograph the action, performing some sharp nods to get his views across. At one point two people rise from their kneeling only to be motioned back onto the floor again, popping up then back down again in unison.
“Sitting and making others kneel like this is the ultimate power-posture in many ways unless the person sitting is unable to get out of their chair. Bending the knee is an ancient act of submission and obedience, with the kneeler performing an act of inconvenience to perform it.”
