French Macron receives strong criticism after the incident in which one of his advisers strikes the protester

PARIS (Reuters) – A collaborator Emmanuel Macron was suspended from his work for two weeks after being identified as hitting a protester during street demonstrations in Paris on May 1, the spokesman for the French president said Thursday a decision deemed too soft by the leaders from the opposition

demonstrations every year on May 1st in France, which often leads to police intervention.

A video, shared on social networks, shows a man wearing a striking police helmet a protester, before a with other agents. He was later recognized as a staff member of the French Presidency.

"The collaborator, Alexandre Benalla, was allowed to attend the events only as an observer," said Bruno Roger-Petit in a statement

. beyond that … he was summoned immediately by the Chief of Staff of the President and was suspended for 15 days, a punishment for unacceptable behavior, "he said.

A judicial source told Reuters that the Paris Attorney's Office had opened an investigation into the case Thursday after hearing about the incident.

Several opposition leaders have criticized Benalla's sanction, considering it too lax

"This video is shocking Macron, we are above the law, it is obvious that Macron must talk about it ", said Laurent Wauquiez, president of the conservative party The Republicans on Europe radio. 1.

(Information of Matthias Blamont, Simon Carraud and Emmanuel Jarry, published by John Irish, translated by Blanca Rodríguez)