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"The responsible, the only responsible, it is me and I alone," said Emmanuel Macron. Photo: Francois Mori / AP
Source: dpa-infocom GmbH
A former security agent of French President Macron was reported to have taken part in a demonstration in May. Until now, the head of state remained silent on the serious allegations of the opposition, which masked the cover-up and the scandal. Now, Macron is out of the blanket.
P aris (AP) – In the case surrounding his former security guard, French President Emmanuel Macron broke his silence and badumed his responsibilities. "The person in charge, the only person in charge, is me and me alone."
That said Macron, according to MPs who were quoted by the AFP news agency. Macron said the meeting said he was meeting with his party's parliamentarians and ministers. Previously, he had been criticized for days by the opposition for his silence in the case surrounding his former security colleague Alexander Benalla.
Benalla reportedly raped a man during a demonstration on May 1 in Paris. He allegedly wore a police helmet and a police armband, although he was not used as a police officer. The incidents were known to the public through media reports in July and, according to observers, sparked the biggest crisis in Macron's mandate. The opposition suspects a camouflage scandal
Macron told AFP's report that he had the impression that Benalla's behavior at the May demonstration in Paris was a treason. He confessed: "It is I who trusted Alexandre Benalla.I am the one who confirmed the sentence."
Benalla was released on leave for 15 days in early May , according to Macron's chief of staff, Patrick Strzoda, and finally released from his original duties. No criminal proceedings were brought against him before July. Among other things, Benalla was responsible for Macron's safety while traveling.
The French government is also under increasing pressure in the case. Commenting on critics of the opposition in the National Assembly, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said on Tuesday: "The individual misconduct of this employee does not yet cause a national crisis". The authorities reacted quickly and imposed a fine on Benalla. Earlier, Interior Minister Gerard Collomb had already defended himself before a parliamentary inquiry committee on Monday.
The head of the Macrons cabinet, Strzoda, who had been summoned on Tuesday, had personally proposed the Benalla leave and was held there. There were not enough indications for criminal proceedings – especially since no one had lodged a complaint after the violent intervention of the security personnel.
In the meantime, a preliminary inquiry is underway against the 26-year-old. He is accused, among other things, of violence and presumption. The conservative opposition party The Republicans on Tuesday announced a request for defiance against the government. Given the vast majority of Macron En Marche's party in Parliament, this measure should not be dangerous for the government.
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