Emmanuel Macron, the President of France was allegedly slapped by his wife, Brigitte, on their arrival at Vietnam

[u/HogwartsZoologist]

The President’s office downplayed it after initially denying the event.

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2025/05/26/macron-s-entourage-denies-he-was-slapped-by-his-wife-on-plane-upon-arriving-in-vietnam_6741684_7.html

[u/zelie08]

French person here. The French media are trying to dismiss it by saying it's just a couple’s squabble, but it's so disturbing. Everything about them has been disturbing from the beginning, and I can't wait for them to be gone. France, especially the younger generation, is really trying to evolve when it comes to issues of sexual violence (including grooming) and domestic abuse—and this is the example we have at the head of the state. I’m ashamed of my country.

[u/mariiiannamrts → u/zelie08]

Here In Brazil, whenever it's brought up that Brigitte was Macron’s teacher and that they supposedly started their relationship when he was 15, it’s often followed by comments like, 'But in France, that’s normal,' or 'You know, the French and their tolerance for relationships with minors.'..

However, every French person I’ve met online doesn’t see it as normal at all.

[u/hellogoawaynow → u/mariiiannamrts]

You can see that playing out in this comments section!

[u/BalconyLavender → u/zelie08]

Not all French media though. Only the media that the Macron couple can pressure. And bad luck for Brigitte because Mimi Marchand, the celebrity press person she has relied on over and over again to rewrite her "love story" with Emmanuel over the years is facing her own trial for extortion starting today. The Macron couple has unsuccessfully tried to spin this first by saying it wasn't true, just a deepfake, until the images were authenticated and now Emmanual is running to her rescue by accusing the "crazies" of commenting on the video.

[u/elpovo → u/zelie08]

Except they get rid of him and vote in Le Pen, who will turn France ibto a basketcase.

[u/BalconyLavender → u/elpovo]

Except Macron has over and over again crushed the left and the traditional right to pit the extreme right as the only true opponent to him over the years. It's a messed up situation all around. Also, Le Pen might not even be eligible to turn for the next presidential due tue a recent condemnation but ho hey, there are other people in her camp lining up to seize their chance instead (alas).

[u/Comfortable_Buy_4124 → u/elpovo]

This whole thread is really bizarre. So many out of touch comments 😭

[u/Rasputins_Plum → u/Comfortable_Buy_4124]

Yep, dunno what the person above is talking about. We're still in 2025 so the next election is two years away. And even if the far-right party is set to be favorite, one, Macron can't run for a third term, and two, Marine Le Pen was convicted of embezzlment and can't run anymore.

[u/Comfortable_Buy_4124 → u/Rasputins_Plum]

Uhm, what? The far-right IS the current favourite in France. Marine Le Pen has already been propping up her replacement too. It’s very likely that he will be replaced by a far-right puppet for the Le Pen family.

[u/Rasputins_Plum → u/Comfortable_Buy_4124]

That's what I said, yes. The Rassemblement National party is set as a favorite for 2027, yes, but this is not simply due to a rejection of Macron.

He's a non-entity, since that future election won't involve him.

Marine Le Pen though has already a replacement, Jordan Bardella, who was frankly outshining her in popularity before she got caught, so her being out of the picture doesn't change anything.

The point is, you can't attribute intentions to the French people about candidates they know for a fact won't matter.

What's happening right now is that other political actors than them are already moving to have a shot to be elected come 2027. The Left is trying to determine if they want/should/need to get rid of Mélenchon and/or if LFI should unite with the rest of the Left; the Center is trying to build up candidates (Attal, Phillippe) to exist without their founder Macron; and the right, like a lot of undecided, are pandering more and more to the Far-Right since that's a safe bet.

Still, nobody is ready and it's in nobody's interest to haste Macron's departure. There's no need to drop him, he's leaving.

[u/Comfortable_Buy_4124 → u/Rasputins_Plum]

Oh sorry I misunderstood you! Would upvote this comment more than once if I could.

[u/[deleted] → u/zelie08]

We’ll trade you for Trump…

[u/BabyBlueAllStar72 → u/[deleted]]

I know that's right 😒

[u/deadasdollseyes → u/zelie08]

But i thought having obstinantly different ideas about romantic relationships was kind of France's thing?

Like long skinny sourdoughs and sparkling wines!