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Greta Thunberg lashes out at politicians, saying she feels 'used' when they ask for selfies to 'make them look good'

Greta Thunberg lashes out at politicians, saying she feels 'used' when they ask for selfies to 'make them look good'
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Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg has never shied away from criticising world leaders.

Now, in a series she's making for Swedish radio about her campaigning, she's revealed her dislike for the way politicians acted around her, implying they wanted to associated with Thunberg just to improve their own reputations.

Speaking specifically about Angela Merkel, Thunberg recalled the German chancellor queuing up to take a selfie with the activist in New York.

According to The Guardian, Thunberg said:

Presidents, prime ministers, kings and princesses came and wanted to talk to me.

They saw me and suddenly saw the chance that they could take a photo with me for their Instagram account. Then the hashtag #savetheplanet.

It seemed as if they had forgotten for a moment to be ashamed that their generation had let future generations down.

Thunberg also spoke to the BBC, where she elaborated on her comments, saying it applies to many politicians who she believes want to capitalise on her fame by being photographed with her.

To be fair, it was not only [Merkel], it was many. And those kinds of things happen all the time. People just want to stand next to me and other climate activists.

They can post it on social media and it makes them look good, it makes them seem like they care.

She was asked whether this situation makes her feel "used", she replied:

Yes, people definitely see me sometimes as someone to stand next to, to look good, and that is something I really dislike because that’s not the sort of person I want to be.

Thunberg has been photographed alongside figures including Prince Charles, Justin Trudeau and Ed Miliband, among others.

While she is largely credited for sparking discussions about climate change among a younger generation, she has also sparked the ire of a number of men who can't seem to bear her popularity, including Donald Trump, Piers Morgan and Jair Bolsonaro.

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