French President Macron Slapped in Face by Angry Citizen - WATCH
The incident was caught on camera during his 'Tour of the French territories'
© press
French President Emmanuel Macron was slapped in the face by a man while on a public visit to the commune of Tain-l’Hermitage.
The incident has been condemned by political party leaders.
The slap was caught on camera while Macron was on his “Tour of the French territories” in the department of Drôme.
WATCH:
FRANCE—Video emerges of @EmmanuelMacron slapped in the face, while greeting people during his tour of the #Drôme.
— Bree A Dail (@breeadail) June 8, 2021
Two people reportedly arrested. pic.twitter.com/4mxU7tOrMJ
In the video, Macron approaches a man to shake his hand before being slapped across the face.
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Moments later, security guards jump in and tackle the man to the ground.
“We can fight him politically, but we cannot afford to have the slightest gesture, the slightest violence against him,” opposition leader Marine Le Pen said.
Xavier Bertrand, a member of the center-right Les Repupicains, condemned the attacker, saying:
“No political disagreement will ever justify violence."
"Respect for the institutions of the Republic and its representatives is a cardinal principle of our democratic life.”
Far-left politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon stated following the attack:
"This time you are beginning to understand that the violent take action?
"I stand in solidarity with the president.”
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It is not yet clear what motivation the man had for the attack, but far-left MP Éric Coquerel linked the slapping to the “royalist far-right,” claiming the president was attacked by members of the royalist group action française.
60 percent of French citizens say they view rising numbers of #migrants in #France as a "threat" to society, according to a new poll.
— Neon Nettle (@NeonNettle) September 21, 2019
READ MORE: https://t.co/2zw1rHCpS6
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The assault follows reports that Macron could lose the French presidential race to Ms. Le Pen under certain conditions.
One such condition for a Le Pen victory is a hatred for Macron among voters, according to the foundation.
