Thorning-Schmidt: “Selfie shows leaders are normal people”

Both PM Helle Thorning-Schmidt and the photographer who captured her taking the infamous selfie say the mood in the stadium was upbeat and festive

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Dec 11, 2013

Condemnation was swift after Danish PM Helle Thorning-Schmidt was captured taking a so-called “selfie” together with US president Barack Obama and British PM David Cameron at Nelson Mandela’s memorial service yesterday.

But the Danish PM argues that there was nothing inappropriate about the photo and that the mood in the stadium was “festive”.

“The atmosphere was of course melancholic, but ultimately it was a celebration of a man who lived to be 95 years old, and who managed to accomplish so much in his life,” Thorning-Schmidt told Berlingske newspaper.

A little fun
“There was dancing on the stands and singing and dancing, so the mood was positive. And then we took a really fun selfie.”

She added: “Lots of photos were taken that day. Lots of photos were taken of Obama, and I think it was just a little fun. It also shows that even when leaders meet, we are also normal people who have a good time together.”

Her account of the day matches the description given by the photographer who captured the three leaders taking the selfie, Roberto Schmidt from AFP.

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