An EU chief has been branded with shame for his gushing tribute to the Iranian president. The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, has drawn fierce criticism for expressing the European Union “sincere condolences” to Iran, following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi.
Raisi, who was confirmed dead on May 20, was known to many in the West as the “butcher of Tehran” due to his brutal approach to women-led protests and repression of human rights. Under his regime hundreds of protesters have been killed.
Despite, his blood-spattered tenure in office, 48-year-old Charles Michel, one of the EU’s most senior figures, took to X to pay tribute to the 63-year-old Raisi.
On X he wrote: “The EU expresses its sincere condolences for the death of President Raisi and Foreign Minister Abdollahian, as well as other members of their delegation and crew in a helicopter accident. Our thoughts go to the families.”
Politicians, academics and X users alike have roundly condemned Mr Michel’s statement.
Dr. Anastasia Vishnevskaya-Mann, representing the German Free Democratic Party (FDP) in the upcoming European elections, responded to the Council President’s message, saying: “This is….bizarre? Strange? Stupid? Tasteless? You just get stuck in the WTF-mode while observing how the #EU bodies are treating the death of #Raisi”.
Independent member of the German Bundestag, Joana Cotar, was similarly critical. She said: “First #EU participates in the search for #Raisi and now it also offers condolences. A terrorist mass murderer has died, the oppressed in his country are celebrating and the EU is shedding tears. It’s all unbelievable. THIS EU must go. We need a completely new way of working together. Shame on you!”
Writer Frances Weetman reacted bluntly to Mr Michel’s post, saying: “Leavers, you were right.”
Iranian state TV is yet to report the cause of the crash in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province.
Dr Hamidreza Azizi assessed the impact of Raisi’s death on the running of Iran, noting his first vice president, Mohammad Mokhber, would take over until elections can be held over the summer.
And he warned his connections with top members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) will likely result in an intensification of their involvement in the government – leading to a “struggle” with administrative staff.
