World has a new favorite President. Of course, not Trump
What's the story
While Donald Trump continues to be welcomed with protests around the world (looking at you London) and give statements that raise questions about his sanity, the Croatian President has taken it upon herself to set the record straight about the conduct of people in power. 50-year-old Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic has become Internet's favorite, thanks to her amazing display of affection at FIFA World Cup.
Life story
In 2015, she became first woman President of Croatia
In 2015, Grabar-Kitarovic became the first woman President of Croatia. Prior to becoming President, she was Croatian Ambassador to the United States. She started as an adviser to Foreign Ministry after she joined the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) in 1993. Grabar-Kitarovic has studied in Zagreb, Vienna, Washington DC and Harvard, and is fluent in Croatian, English, Spanish and Portuguese. Definitely, an icon!
The journey
Grabar-Kitarovic flew in economy class to support Croatia in finals
On July 1, Grabar-Kitarovic flew to Russia in economy class to cheer the football team. After this, images of her watching the match from non-VIP stands went viral. When asked about it, Grabar-Kitarovic said the dress code of VIP zone (long gowns) wouldn't have permitted her to sport the jersey, and she wanted to showcase her love for football. Love for sports > diplomacy.
Celebrations
Grabar-Kitarovic's way of celebrating wins were widely discussed
During Croatia and Russia's quarterfinals match (which former won), a video of Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic's dancing in front of a visibly upset host PM Dimitry Medvedev emerged. Later, she visited the dressing room and did a little victory dance with the team. Croatia defeating England to catapult themselves to the finals also prompted celebrations. Grabar-Kitarovic hugged the players and congratulated them on the historic win.
Twitter Post
Name a cooler President than her, we will wait
Croatian president celebrating with the team after that win 😂 pic.twitter.com/X45AyhCMQ0
— ItalianFootballTV (@IFTVofficial) July 7, 2018
The gesture
At finale, Grabar-Kitarovic's hugs warmed Croatian players and the world
France clinched the World Cup title for the first time in 20 years, by defeating Croatia. But after the match, members of world's second best team got warm hugs from Grabar-Kitarovic. She took the players in a warm embrace and comforted each one of them while it rained. Grabar-Kitarovic's gesture won hearts all over the world and rightly so.
Love wins
Netizens fell in love with her. We aren't any different
After pictures of Grabar-Kitarovic's hugs found their way to social media, netizens instantly fell in love with her. Twitter user @RazuRahmanBD wrote: In my opinion, the world cup winner is this woman. Just stay there & take some time to respect this lady. @Zuhayrstark tweeted: I want someone to hug me the way Croatia's president hugs everyone. Yes, the world does need more hugs!
Twitter Post
Her sincere hugs made everyone on Twitter, and elsewhere, happy
Just for the feels I’m going to keep rewinding and watching Croatia’s wonderful president hug each of her players like they are her own sons. And the French team, too!! Also great show, France. #WorldCupFinal
— Molly Wood (@mollywood) July 15, 2018
Differences
While Grabar-Kitarovic won hearts, what was Putin doing?
In Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, three Presidents were spotted post the match. Like France's Emmanuel Macron's cheer and Grabar-Kitarovic's warmth were caught on camera, Russia's Vladimir Putin too didn't go unnoticed. Putin chose to stand beneath an umbrella during rains (which he didn't even share), and this prompted hilarious reactions on Twitter. One user even wondered if Russia had just one umbrella.
Twitter Post
This tweet on Putin has gone viral
As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster. pic.twitter.com/KYzhucLPJM
— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) July 15, 2018