The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

11 times world leaders danced awkwardly

October 9, 2015 at 5:00 a.m. EDT

This week, footage of Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner dancing at a rally in Buenos Aires spread through social media. Kirchner's moves, remarkably energetic and enthusiastic compared to others on the stage, prompted mockery, with the Independent dubbing it "dad dancing" and suggesting that the Argentine president "would not be elected if politics was a dance competition."

That's true, but Kirchner's moves aren't so bad when you compare them to other world leaders. In fact, you could probably argue they fit quite well into a long-standing and esteemed tradition of bad dancing by world leaders.

To be fair, often world leaders will only dance when it's more awkward not to – during a state visit, for example. At other points, it's just a case of them being covertly filmed while letting their hair down, an understandable moment of weakness. Sometimes, however, they have no one but themselves to blame.

Below are just a few of the more notable examples of awkward dancing by world leaders.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gets down to reggae

During a state visit to Jamaica, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe couldn't help but hit the dance floor while the band played some reggae hits. (Video: Facebook/Katsunobu Kato)

The most recent example of world leader's dancing took place in Jamaica, where Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was spotted dancing to a live reggae band last week. Abe's dancing took place at a dinner hosted by Portia Simpson-Miller, the Wall Street Journal reported, and later Abe was seen shaking hands with Freddie McGregor, the popular reggae musician who was performing.

President Obama does the Lipala dance

For a world leader, Obama seems pretty comfortable dancing: In 2007, before he was even president, he danced on the Ellen Degeneres Show. This is probably down to the fact he's actually a pretty good dancer, as he showed earlier this summer when he danced with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and pop group Sauti Sol, who recently re-popularized the traditional Lipala dance.

South Africa's Jacob Zuma dances with Robert Mugabe's wife

In April, South African President Jacob Zuma was spotted dancing alongside the first lady of Zimbabwe, Grace Mugabe, during a state dinner in Pretoria. Zuma has shown off his moves on a number of other occasions.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez plays air guitar

During his 2012 election campaign, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was spotting dancing and air-guitaring at his closing rally in Caracas. His moves may have paid off, because he was reelected with a comfortable 54.4 percent of the vote, though he passed away the next year and new elections had to be held.

British Prime Minister David Cameron sways to the Spice Girls

At the closing ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games, British Prime Minister David Cameron swayed back and forth while the 1990s pop group the Spice Girls performed. Cameron, perhaps aware that his dancing would be filmed and mocked in the British press, seemed to be holding back, but London Mayor Boris Johnson, seated to the prime minister's left, appeared to have no such reservations.

Australia's Tony Abbott embarrasses his daughter

A year before he became prime minister (and three years before he was booted out of that position), Australia's Tony Abbott was spotted dancing and embarrassing his daughter while visiting the city of Tamworth. Despite the fact he wasn't yet a world leader, he was still mocked for his dancing by Australia's Channel 10.

Russian President Dmitri Medvedev rocks to 'American Boy'

In 2011, then Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was filmed dancing to the 1990s pop hit "American Boy" at a party. After his moves were mocked on Twitter, the Russian leader retorted: "We are rocking at a student university reunion. The dances\the music - they fit in with the past."

Prince Charles shows off his 'hereditary' moves in India

During a visit to India in 2010, Prince Charles danced with local men during Holi, the Hindu festival observed during spring. According to the BBC, when complimented on his moves, Charles responded: "It's hereditary".

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper shuffles on Indian reality TV

In 2009, Harper visited the studios of "Dance Premier League," a popular Indian reality television show, during a trip to India. During the show, they were dragged on stage and forced to dance – though CBC later described the moves of Harper and his wife, Laureen, as "a sort of shuffle."

President George W. Bush plays the drums

During a 2007 event at the White House designed to draw attention to malaria, George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, took to the stage with the KanKouran West African Dance Company. "In no time, it was Bush who was enthusiastically choreographing the moves," the Associated Press reported at the time. "Flashing a big grin, Bush pounded on the drums to set the rhythm and led the women and men of the group in a little dance."

Boris Yeltsin does the Boris Yeltsin

In 1996, then-Russian President Boris Yeltsin was filmed dancing on stage at a rock concert. It's a moment that has gone down in history -- the Associated Press won a Pulitzer for a photograph of the event and the Guardian later wondered if he was the greatest dancing politician ever. What's so great about Yeltsin's dancing? Honestly, you just have to watch it for yourself.

More on WorldViews

Why you should care about how Hitler decorated his homes

Quiz: Can you find these 15 U.S. foreign-policy hot spots?