Sofagate in Ankara: EU's von der Leyen left standing in meeting with Erdoğan
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen was left standing at a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at his presidential palace in Ankara on Tuesday, sparking a debate about Erdoğan's poor record of respect for women and their rights.
A video before the start of the meeting shows European Council President Charles Michel and von der Leyen entering the room along with Erdoğan and some Turkish officials where they will hold a meeting. While Erdoğan and Michel immediately are seated, von der Leyen is seen standing, saying "Ehm" and looking around to find somewhere to sit. Finally, she sits on a distant sofa as the press takes photos of Michel and Erdoğan with a visibly disgruntled von der Leyen looking on.
