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Paris (AFP) – French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday rejected the scandal surrounding a senior security official who criticized the protesters as a "storm in a cup," furious critics of his opponents showing no sign of slow-down. The former bodyguard in question, Alexander Benalla, denounced what he termed "desire to get the president" using the scandal, the most damaging since the arrival at the power of Macron more than a year ago
. Protesters in Paris, wearing a police helmet and armband, admitted to having "made a mistake".
"I have the impression of having done something really stupid," the newspaper told Le Monde. ] Benalla was charged with assault and identity theft of a police officer after videos were broadcast last week showing a protester hitting another protester during the May 1st demonstration.
Benalla said that he just wanted to help "If I had not been employed by the presidency, I would do the same thing," he told Le Monde, adding that the helmet police he carried had been entrusted to The revelations that senior officials of Macron's office were aware of the incident, but did not report Benalla to prosecutors, have provoked charges of attempt camouflage, which the government denies. [19659009] Benalla was suspended for two weeks – supposedly without pay, although it appeared on Wednesday that he was still receiving his salary – and that he had been removed some of his responsibilities. He was finally dismissed last week
Macron sought to downplay the case on Thursday.
"I said what I had to say, it is that I think it's a storm in a cup of tea" a visit to the village of Campan in the Southwest France
– "Monarchical Trend" –
Christian Jacob of the Right Republicans, who like many opponents accused Macron of showing arrogance in his response, accuses the president of "monarchical" "We are facing a very serious incident – the president must explain to the people, he can not do it with the disdain and the provocation with which he has done it until Here, "Jacob told Franceinfo radio.
Opposition lawmakers repeatedly called on Macron to address the nation about the case.
After days of silence, he made a provocative speech to members of his LREM party on Tuesday that seemed to be aimed at the ruthless bartering of his parliament. helps on the scandal.
"The", he said, while describing Benalla's actions as "a disappointment and a betrayal."
"If they're looking for someone in charge, he's just in front of you.They can pick me up. "
On Wednesday, he accused his opponents of" disproportionate actions, "adding that he was still proud to have hired him." former bouncer Benalla because he was a "devoted" employee who had "taken an unusual path"
Two parliamentary committees interviewed the main assistants of Macron, the chief of staff of the president, Alexis Kohler, being the last to take a stand in the Senate on Thursday.
Kohler acknowledged that the initial decision of the authorities to punish Benalla The director of Macron's office, Patrick Strzoda, told lawyers on Tuesday that he had decided that there was not enough evidence to justify the dismissal of Benalla to prosecutors, not least because the two-week suspension did not seem sufficient. A criminal complaint had been lodged against him.
Opposition Republicans are expected to cast a vote of confidence on Friday to the government – a largely symbolic move, since Macron's centrism
Macron's already weak approval ratings still seem to have More suffering from the scandal, with a record 60% of adverse opinions in an Ipsos poll released Tuesday.
Vincent Crase, a LREM security officer also present at the scene, was also charged with this case, along with three police officers accused of giving Benalla surveillance footage so that he could mount a defense .
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