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You are here: Home News European News EU presidency ‘martians’ remark sparks laughter
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20/03/2009EU presidency ‘martians’ remark sparks laughter

Czech Prime Minister opens his mouth and puts the other foot in it.

BRUSSELS – Pressed as to why the speakers at an EU summit press conference comprised of six men and no women, Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek gave a reply that was out of this world on Thursday.

"Why, were you expecting martians?" he asked his interlocutor as he shared the table with EU Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso and four other male worthies.

Topolanek, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency, had no more to say on the subject, as the press conference descended into laughter.

However his Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek then offered an apology of sorts.

"I'm sorry," he said "I'm a feminist myself".

AFP / Expatica


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