France’s President Emmanuel Macron was on Tuesday dealt a slap in the face by a man among a crowd of onlookers, while on a walkabout in south-eastern France.
In a swift response, the President’s security team rushed in to bring the man to the ground and take him away from Macron.
The incident took place while Macron was on a visit to the Drome Region in south-eastern France, where he met restauranteurs and students to talk about how life was returning to normal after the COVID-19 epidemic.
According to broadcasters BFM TV and RMC radio, two people had been arrested in connection with the event.
The incident, according to French Prime Minister Jean Castex, was an affront to democracy.
In video circulating on social media, Macron, dressed in shirt sleeves, could be seen walking towards a crowd of well-wishers behind a metal barrier.
The French President reached out his hand to greet one man, in a green T-Shirt, with glasses and a face mask.
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The man could be heard shouting out, “Down with Macronia” (“A Bas La Macronie”) and then he delivered a slap to Macron’s face.
Two of Macron’s security detail tackled the man in the green T-shirt, while another ushered Macron away.
But Macron remained in the vicinity of the crowd for a few more seconds, and appeared to be talking to someone on the other side of the barriers.
The presidential administration said there had been an attempt to strike Macron, but declined further comment.
The identify of the man who slapped Macron, and his motives, were unclear.
THE WILL
