Eight people have been arrested after a relative of French first lady Brigitte Macron was attacked on Monday night, shortly after President Emmanuel Macron made a speech on national television.
Macron’s eldest nephew, Jean-Baptiste Trogneau, was attacked by anti-government protesters in the northern French city of Amiens.
Trogneux, who ran the chocolate shop of the same name in Amiens, was hit in the head and torso by the attackers. He is now being examined to determine the extent of his injuries.
Jean-Alexandre Trogneau, Jean-Baptiste’s father, told the French newspaper RTL The attackers “crossed the line and insulted the President, his wife and our family”.
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condemns violence
Brigitte Macron, France’s first lady, denounced the attack in a statement, calling it “cowardly, stupid and violent”.
– I provide for my entire family and have been in regular contact with them since yesterday. On several occasions, she said, I have denounced this kind of violence, which can only lead to worse.
The attackers fled the scene after neighbors intervened to stop the violence. President Macron called the attack “unacceptable” and stressed that violence has no place in a democracy.
Don’t understand: Jean-Alexandre Trogneau, Jean-Baptiste’s father, says he doesn’t understand why their family or shop was attacked. Photo: DENIS CHARLET/AFP/NTB.
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met with demonstrations
The Trogneux family’s chocolate shop, which specializes in Amiens macarons, a treat based on sweet almonds, has been repeatedly the target of demonstrations.
The family has stores spread all over northern France. There have been rumors that the first family has a financial interest in the company, which they themselves deny.
Jean-Alexandre Trogneau said that the shop is not involved in politics and that Emmanuel Macron has nothing to do with their business. He also stated that he did not understand why they faced harassment and boycotts against their stores and products.
French President, Emmanuel Macron, has faced major protests during his time in power, particularly over pension reforms and an increase in the retirement age from 62 to 64.
Macron’s reforms have sparked some of the largest demonstrations in decades, and have also led to attacks on the offices of several politicians and on the president’s favorite restaurant, La Rotonde Brasserie, in Paris.
increased violence
The attack on Jean-Baptiste Trugneau is an example of the growing violence in France. Statistics from the Home Office show violent and hate crimes have increased by more than 21 percent since 2019, and the government has promised to tackle the problem.
The President also expressed his concern about the rise of anti-Semitism and racism in France, and took several initiatives to combat it.
However, the attack also led to condemnation from various political parties and organizations in France. Many have expressed concern that violence in the country has reached a dangerous level and that further action is required from the authorities.
The French government has proposed a new law that would criminalize online hate speech, as well as ban organizations and individuals that incite hatred or violence. The law is expected to be adopted in June.
I received threats
The attack on Jean-Baptiste Trugneau also sparked a debate about security around the president’s family. It has been reported that Brigitte Macron has received threats in the past, and there are now questions about whether there is enough security around the presidential family.
However, President Macron assured the public that he and his family would not be intimidated by violence and hatred, and that they would continue to fight for “freedom, equality and fraternity in France”.
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