2 arrested for slapping French President Emmanuel Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron has been slapped in the face by a man on an official visit. In a video circulating on social media, Mr Macron was seen walking up to a barrier on a trip in the south-eastern department of Drôme. A man slapped Mr. Macron in the face before being swarmed by officers. The president was rushed away. Macron’s security entourage quickly intervened to pull the man to the ground and move Macron away from him. Macron’s entourage confirmed that a man had attempted to slap Macron.
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 incident took place as Macron visited the southeastern region to meet restaurateurs and students to talk about how life is returning to normal as the country’s Covid19 lockdown eases. Olivier Véran, the French Health minister said on Sunday that the Covid-19 situation in France was improving, but that he still had concerns with regards to the so-called delta variant, identified in India, and the laxity observed among some people who had received the first dose of a vaccine.
