Mick Wallace, the recently elected MEP for Ireland South, was called to order during a sitting of the European Parliament today.
Wallace was reprimanded after he referred to Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó as an “unelected gobshite.”
“Do you not agree that the recognition of Guaidó is an absolute embarrassment to anyone that has to occupy this chamber, and is a disgrace on the part of the member states of Europe that so many of them have recognised an “unelected gobshite”?
It was quickly note that Wallace would be reprimanded for his use of the word.
Wallace himself shared a video of the moment later on Twitter.
It was outrageous for the #EU to recognise #Guaido as President of #Venezuela
He is "an unelected Gobshite" https://t.co/BWoUsKGbAV pic.twitter.com/5T5UTWpki5
— Mick Wallace (@wallacemick) February 13, 2020
Guaidó has sought to challenge the leadership of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, with some perceiving his actions as tantamount to a coup.
Guaidó has been supported in his claim to leadership by many EU member states, including France, Germany, Spain and Portugal. The United Kingdom and United States also recognise Guaidó as president of Venezuela, though Maduro remains incumbent.
Ireland is among the countries that officially support Guaidó’s claim.
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