“It is not on the basis of a report that we remove the Legion of Honor from an artist. » Referring to the accusations of rape against Gérard Depardieu during a special edition of “C à vous” on France 5 at the Elysée, Emmanuel Macron affirmed, Wednesday December 20, that the Legion of Honor is an Order which is not “not here to preach”.
He also denounced “a manhunt” against the actor, implicated by the program “Complément d’investigation” broadcast on France 2 at the beginning of December, in which the giant of French cinema multiplies misogynistic and insulting remarks by addressing women, not sparing a little girl with her obscene remarks.
“One thing you’ll never see me in is manhunts. I hate that “declared the head of state on Wednesday evening. “There are sometimes outbursts over comments made. I am wary of the context”he insisted.
“I understood that there were controversies over [passages] of the report »he clarified, taking up the arguments of members of the Depardieu family in a column in the Sunday newspaper. The latter, including actress Julie Depardieu, the daughter of the French actor, denounce “cabal” and evoke ” staged “ and cutting plans “suspects” in the report.
Presumption of innocence
Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak announced this week that a “disciplinary procedure” would be initiated by the Grand Chancellery of the Legion of Honor against the actor, notably targeted by two complaints in France for rape and sexual assault, and indicted in one of the two cases. A new accusation was brought against him on Tuesday by a Spanish journalist.
Emmanuel Macron judged that Rima Abdul Malak ” advanced “ speaking of a procedure which could remove the distinction of the actor.
“Does Gérard Depardieu shame France? », asked the head of state, journalist Anne-Elisabeth Lemoine. Presenting himself as “a great admirer of Gérard Depardieu”Emmanuel Macron affirmed on the contrary that the actor “makes France proud”.
“You can accuse someone, there may be victims, but there is also a presumption of innocence that exists”he said. “I just want to” that Gérard Depardieu “can defend their rights like everyone else” And “continue to work, to create”he stressed.
“Nothing is wrong with the president’s words”
Furthermore, the head of state considers himself “unassailable on the fight against attacks against women, violence against women and for equality between women and men. These are the two great causes of my two five-year terms.”
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However, these comments caused a strong reaction on the left and in women’s defense associations. Olivier Faure, the boss of the Socialist Party, wrote on his social networks : “Violence against women is a major cause of the five-year term… This president does not believe in anything he announces, whatever the subjects”.
“Emmanuel Macron’s words about Depardieu are once again an insult to the movement to free the speech of victims of sexual violence”, also tackled the environmentalist MP Sandrine Rousseau. Sophie Bussière, spokesperson for the Ecologists, portrayed a President of the Republic “chief promoter of rape culture”.
Anne-Cécile Mailfert, president of the Women’s Foundation, also expressed his resentment : “Nothing is wrong with the president’s comments regarding Depardieu. I don’t have enough of a tweet to say how outrageous, abject this is for the victims and anachronistic.”.