French President Emmanuel Macron is going through mounting backlash for displaying assist for movie star Gérard Depardieu, who’s accused of sexual assault and sexism.
Former French President François Hollande on Thursday criticized Macron’s latest statements to the France 5 TV channel, during which he praised Depardieu’s contribution to filmmaking.
“It was anticipated of the President of the Republic to speak about girls, and never merely to say that Gérard Depardieu was a fantastic actor,” Hollande instructed French radio France Inter. “He has made this trigger the large deal of his five-year time period and that is how he’s coping with the difficulty of Gérard Depardieu.”
On Wednesday, Macron mentioned he was a “nice admirer” of Depardieu, a “nice actor” who makes France “proud.” He additionally mentioned he didn’t need Depardieu stripped of his Légion d’Honneur (Legion of Honor), the nation’s highest order of advantage.
However his feedback sparked ire in France.
Depardieu was charged with rape in 2020 and faces a dozen accusations of sexual harassment or assault. He has denied any wrongdoing, however a lately launched documentary that includes the actor making obscene remarks and sexualizing a younger woman has induced recent outrage.
Hollande known as out Macron on Thursday for saying nothing concerning the “girls who’ve been attacked, humiliated,” and for selecting as an alternative to quote the actor’s “expertise” and “presumption of innocence.”
A scathing op-ed printed on the web site of the Elle trend journal on behalf of the editorial workers additionally slams Macron for his statements.
“No, Mr. President, we’re not proud. Not of Gérard Depardieu. Not of your phrases,” the op-ed declares.
“Emmanuel Macron, who not cares about being re-elected, has revealed his true face: that of a person who sides with predators; that of a president who made us consider in his dedication to girls with a view to higher betray them,” Elle’s workers added.