European Council President Herman van Rompuy was lambasted by UKIP MEP Nigel Farage; Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov was lampooned by Finance Minister Simeon Dyankov; it is interesting to compare the reactions to the two cases.

Farage’s tirade in the European Parliament, expressed in terms shocking even to veteran observers of proceedings in legislatures. His ad hominem attack cost Farage the docking of a 3000 euro allowance, after Farage declined to withdraw his invective. This penalty was imposed by European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek. Van Rompuy, apart from a mild shaking of the head at Farage’s hysterical outburst, said nothing more to indicate that he regarded the British MEP’s behaviour as beneath contempt.

The reaction of Purvanov to being made fun of on a talk show by Dyankov was somewhat less restrained. Appearing on a show that is meant to be humorous, Dyankov – also Bulgaria’s Deputy Prime Minister and a member of a party other than the one that Purvanov used to lead – got into the spirit of things by making a few cutting comments about Purvanov, interpreted by the President’s office as alleging that Purvanov had ill-gotten wealth.

From the President’s office, Purvanov thundered that Dyankov should prove his supposed allegations or resign from office. Dyankov’s office released a transcript of the show implying that there was nothing to withdraw, or to resign about, unless it is unconstitutional to indicate – as Dyankov did – that the head of state is no longer young.

In politics, sometimes restraint is called for, sometimes a stern reaction, and sometimes a sense of humour. It takes maturity to realise which is most appropriate.