French President Emmanuel Macron was slapped in the face on Tuesday by a man in a crowd while on a walkabout in southern France, according to Reuters.
In a video circulating on social media, Macron was seen walking towards a crowd of well-wishers who were behind a metal barrier in the south-eastern department of Drôme, where he met restaurateurs and students to talk about how life is returning to normal after the COVID-19 epidemic.
A man slapped Macron in the face before being swarmed by officers. Macron’s security entourage quickly intervened to pull the man to the ground and move Macron away from him.
Two people were arrested in connection with the incident, broadcasters BFM TV and RMC radio reported.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex said that the incident was an affront to democracy.
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, were unclear. While slapping the president, he could be heard shouting „Montjoie Saint Denis,” which was the battle cry of the French armies when the country was still a monarchy.