Emmanuel Macron was slapped across his face by a man during his visit to Drome region
The President of France – Emmanuel Macron was slapped across his face by a man today, i.e., Tuesday, June 8, 2021, during his official visit to La Drome region in Southeast of France.
Macron’s security staff was quick to react and pulled the man to the ground, away from him. A total of 2 people have been detained by the police in connection to the slapping of the president.
In a video circulating on social media, Macron can be seen, dressed in white shirt, walking towards a crowd who had gathered to see him and were standing behind a metal barrier. Just when Macron extended his hand to a man wearing green coloured T-shirt and eyeglasses, the man shouted, “A Bas La Macronie (Down with Macronia) and then slapped him across his face.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE OF MACRON GETTING SLAPPED
Post this, Macron remained there in the crowd and spoke to a few people before leaving the site. The Presidential Administration said there had been an attempt to strike Macron, but declined further comment.
The identity of the man who slapped Macron, and his motives, is still unclear. While slapping the president, the man also said, “Montjoie Saint Denis”, which was the battle cry of the French armies when the country was still a monarchy.
A Statement from Elysee Palace, the official residence of President of France read, “A man indeed tried to hit the President of the Republic. We have no further comments at this point. Exchanges with the crowd and handshakes resumed. The trip continues.”
The Prime Minister of France – Jean Castex has termed the entire episode e as an insult to democracy. The President had gone to meet restaurateurs and students in Drome region when the incident took place. The agenda of his visit was to discuss with them how life is returning to normal after Coronavirus (COVID-19) and lockdowns. France is scheduled to unlock from tomorrow, i.e., Wednesday, June 9, 2021.
Talking to restaurateurs on unlocking, Macron tweeted (translated from French), “Tomorrow, a new step will be taken. Here, in a hotel school in Drôme, like everywhere in France, I can see how much is expected. It is life that will resume in all our territories! It is part of our culture, of our art of living, that we are going to rediscover.” Original tweet in French
Demain, une nouvelle étape sera franchie. Ici, dans un lycée hôtelier de la Drôme, comme partout en France, je mesure combien c’est attendu. C’est la vie qui va reprendre sur tous nos territoires ! C’est une part de notre culture, de notre art de vivre, que nous allons retrouver. pic.twitter.com/Q5P5rN32m1
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 8, 2021
