France's Macron under fire after aide caught beating protester

By Simon Carraud and Matthias Blamont

 

French President Emmanuel Macron, flanked by Alexandre Benalla, French presidential aide, carries a racquet as he leaves his home to play tennis in Le Touquet, France, June 17, 2017. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer

 

PARIS (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron came under fire on Thursday after his office briefly suspended one of his aides for beating a May Day protester and posing as a police officer, but did not inform law enforcement authorities.

 

Critics of Macron said the incident reinforced perceptions of a lofty, out-of-touch president, following controversies over government spending on official crockery, a swimming pool built at a presidential retreat, and cutting remarks by the president about the costs of welfare.

 

A video from a May Day rally this year, released by Le Monde newspaper on Wednesday, showed a man wearing a police helmet and identification tag dragging a woman away and then beating a demonstrator. He was later recognised as a member of the French presidency staff.

 

"The staff member, Alexandre Benalla, had been given permission to witness the demonstrations only as an observer," presidential spokesman Bruno Roger-Petit said in a video statement.

 

"Clearly, he went beyond this...He was immediately summoned by the president's chief of staff and given a 15-day suspension. This came as punishment for unacceptable behaviour."

 

On a trip to southwestern France on Thursday, Macron declined to answer questions from reporters on the subject, saying only in a video posted by a Le Figaro reporter: "I didn't come here to see you. I came to see Mr Mayor."

 

The Paris prosecutor, which was unaware of the matter before Thursday, launched a preliminary investigation against Benalla on suspicion of violence, usurping the function of a police officer and using signs reserved for public authorities.

 

Later the speaker of the lower house of parliament, Francois de Rugy, announced a parliamentary inquiry into the case.

 

Opposition parties condemned the presidency's handling of the matter, arguing the punishment was too lenient and that the incident should have been referred promptly to judicial authorities.

 

"This video is shocking. Today we have the feeling that in Macron's entourage one is above the law," Laurent Wauquiez, president of the conservative Republicains, told Europe 1 radio.

 

Far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon told reporters: "If we accept that anybody can be a policeman alongside the police then we no longer have the rule of law. This man is the eyes and ears of the prince (Macron)."

 

Some lawmakers in Macron's centrist party also called for Benalla to be dismissed. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who denounced "shocking images" in the video, said it was now up to the courts to decide.

 

Labour unions hold demonstrations every year on May 1 in France and clashes with police are not uncommon.

 

After the 15-day suspension, Benalla was brought back into the president's immediate entourage. He appears in many Reuters photos alongside Macron during public events.

 

Benalla also helped to organise festivities when France's World Cup champion soccer team came home earlier this week and is seen next to the team bus.

 

(Additional reporting by Emmanuel Jarry and Michel Rose; Writing by John Irish; Editing by Mark Heinrich and David Stamp)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-07-20

Video of assault on Sky news

 

https://news.sky.com/video/macron-adviser-filmed-hitting-activist-11441982

 

40 minutes ago, webfact said:

After the 15-day suspension, Benalla was brought back into the president's immediate entourage.

I think that tells you all you need to know about Macron.

4 hours ago, The Renegade said:

Video of assault on Sky news

 

https://news.sky.com/video/macron-adviser-filmed-hitting-activist-11441982

 

I think that tells you all you need to know about Macron.

 

Macron sees himself above the law for sure. And apparently thinks his aides are too.

 

Impersonating a police officer to carry out a violent and aggressive assault on a person in custody - just because that person dares to exercise the right of free speech? And the President tries to cover it up!

 

Wake up France, see what you have. A President who wants to be aristocratic and act like Napoleon while spending generously for himself and screwing the poor. 

 

This law breaker should be facing serious charges. But just like Lagarde, even if convicted will probably get off without any punishment.

 

 

I’m no fan of Macron.....but that was no beating. He pulled him to the floor ??‍♂️.....

22 minutes ago, goldenbrwn1 said:

I’m no fan of Macron.....but that was no beating. He pulled him to the floor ??‍♂️.....

Oh! So everything's all right then is it?

Impersonating a Police Officer? No problem - well let's all do that shall we?

Taking it upon one-self to assault another in the name of "the Law" - no matter how severe or limited - is now OK then is it?

Thank you for sharing your amazing outlook on the way people should be treated in France, (or anywhere else for that matter!).

Hope it happens to you one day - then see if you still agree it's not a problem.... or a beating!

The masks start to comme off among French voters who slowly discover who is their new President : an arrogant dandy who is interested only in himself, his elderly wife, and money, has no empathy towards anyone but him and the bankers who paid for his campaign (and probably for much more), and cannot ever imagine being wrong.

 

 

16 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Macron sees himself above the law for sure. And apparently thinks his aides are too.<snip>

Macron fired his aide.

 

http://www.euronews.com/2018/07/20/france-macrons-aide-is-fired

Macron, the president of 20 753 798 souls who scream on the forums but do not dare to speak, even at the time of a vote, while the country has 521 164 698 of voting age. King Emmanuel 1st? It makes me laugh.
He set the tone in July 17, when, elected fresh before an aging people, he harangued the chief of staff of the army, General Pierre de Villers, forcing him to resign.
I AM YOUR CHIEF, he shouted.
What juvenile and dangerous authoritarianism, what arrogance, what a lack of humility for this little shitty man who has never done his military service, who was raised by 3 mothers and who has no sense of his responsibilities.
I am waiting for the continuation with BENALLA
Hey, hey, no censorship, Emmanuel 1st loves that we talk about him, for good or bad. This proves to him that he exists.

Collective hysteria from Macron political opponents - that is to say all the would be / have been - defeated movements, all in shambles trying to recollect the pieces and exploit controversies of the kind, to trigger political crisis. 
The right measures have now been taken: the individual - 25 y.o bodyguard who goes beyond his functions- is definitely classified as sulphurous, fired and in police custody. All the rest is just attempt to poliyically harm Macron who tried to spare someone devoted to him, someone he trusted .

We can move on, it's good, we are not living under dictatorship yet.

Macron is not the problem. It's a basic management issue poorly managed by his staff, not a State affair. 

Edited July 21, 20187 yr by Opl

 

 

no dictator? if you say it

 

 

555

 

Good WE

7 minutes ago, sirocco said:

 

 

no dictator? if you say it

 

 

555

 

Good WE

Edited July 21, 20187 yr by Opl

I just love it. I did not know this drawing.

Obviously, the influence of Trump and his gang has been rubbing of on Macron from their frequent exchanges together...  Perhaps he would have better off to have kept his distance. 

 

Maybe Macron can now hire former Trump EPA administrator Pruitt's security team....

 

Edited July 21, 20187 yr by TallGuyJohninBKK

Obviously it's an error of casting + a succession of dysfunctions in the chain of responsabilities + misplaced instruction without specific object+ psychiatric disorder,  inappropriate and excessive use of violence by the bodyguard.

Macron made the mistake of reacting with delay, trying to protect someone devoted to him   

The press and Justice do their checks

Edited July 21, 20187 yr by Opl

20 hours ago, Bundooman said:

Hope it happens to you one day - then see if you still agree it's not a problem.... or a beating!

That’s not nice is it? I was only pointing out that it wasn’t a beating. The headline was slightly sensational is all. Calm yourself. ...

 

 

 

Bing! the only one to have a small basket is mini-Macron.
It's for his four-hour snack and diapers.