Video the bizarre greeting that arouses controversy. How were Erdogan and Macron surprised for 13 seconds

Last Friday, at the summit of the European Political Community that was organized in Tirana, Albania, French President Emmanuel Macron and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan had the strangest handshake, which sparked a big valve, writes the French publication Le Figaro. The captured images have gone viral on social networks.

While the French president was preparing to greet his Turkish counterpart, the latter beat Emmanuel Macron. Then the head of the French state overlapped his hand over that of Recep Tayyip Erdogan and repeated the gesture.

However, when they weakened their touch, the Turkish president took several fingers of Emmanuel Macron, before keeping in his hand only the middle finger of the French leader.

He then said a few words to President Macron, who tried to smile on, while he was held in this uncomfortable position for 13 seconds.

Although filmed from behind, Emmanuel Macron can be seen by responding to his counterpart, who finally lets him. The chief of the French state then quickly puts his hand on a nearby chair, as if he would like to avoid being near Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The exchange of gestures and words, however, ended with a firm handshake between the two presidents, both smiling in front of journalists and their cameras.

The content of the exchange of replies between the two heads of state is not known, the press on the spot unable to establish it, notes News.ro.

Macron, criticized: “a calamity”

However, the scene, filmed and broadcast by the Turkish television channel en Son Haber, was rapidly taken over on social networks, where many internets rushed to declare that the French president was humiliated.

“Macron is a calamity,” Florian Philipot, founder of the Les Patriotes party and a former MEP, burst, taking over the images on his X account.

“Macron is neither loved nor feared nor respected by anyone,” said another Internet users.

“Do you think (Recep Tayyip Erdogan) would have allowed to grab Putin's finger or Putin?” She continued.

“Erdogan wanted to mark his territory”

Adrien Rivière, a public speaking expert, believes that Recep Tayyip Erdogan realized at that time that was probably the opportunity to say goodbye. “He realized at that time that there was something to do, that it was a power game and that he wanted to win it. I do not know if he misunderstood Emmanuel Macron's gesture, but he knew that the photo would reach the press. That's why he is not in a hurry: he is a caricature and draws time to send a message.”

Referring to the fact that the two politicians overlapped their hands in their hands, Rivière emphasizes that such a gesture is often made by someone older or more authority. “It is a control gesture, as if you put a seal on an envelope,” says the expert.

As for the fact that the finger of the French president is the one who is held captive, Adrien Rivière believes that it is just a coincidence: “If Erdogan had his hand, he would probably shake it hard, as Trump used to do. But he managed to get his finger,” says the expert.

He recognizes, however, that the situation is “a little embarrassing for Emmanuel Macron”. Recep Tayyip Erdogan catches his finger, says something and then shut up. “In everyday life, if someone speaks to you and you do not listen or do not answer, this is the end of a conversation. So the gestures are the ones who speak. Erdogan wanted to mark his territory, so he clearly shown to Macron that he is blocked. Especially since he could not be violently part.”

For Adrien Rivière, this long and strange gesture was far from harmless. “Do not hold the finger of a president for thirteen seconds at some point,” he said.

Finger? Why would Erdoğan Macron's Finger? pic.twitter.com/ewlq8zjpaj

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