TWO MEN have been arrested after French President Emmanuel Macron was slapped in the face during a meet-and-greet in southern France.
The incident occurred during a visit to the village of Tain-l’Hermitage in the Drome region of the country.
In footage widely shared on social media, Macron can be seen approaching a set of metal barriers to greet locals in the crowd.
He reaches out a hand to greet one man, wearing a green t-shirt, glasses and a face mask.
In the clip, the man can be heard shouting "a bas la Macronie" or "down with Macronia" before slapping the politician across the face.
While slapping the president, he could also be heard shouting "Montjoie Saint Denis," – a battle cry of the French armies during the time of the monarchy.
The French President’s security detail intervenes soon after, pulling Macron away from the people gathered to see him.
Emmanuel Macron giflé par un homme dans la Drôme pic.twitter.com/VnpZ5ELvl5
— BFMTV (@BFMTV) June 8, 2021
According to BFM TV, two men were arrested following the incident.
Their identities and the motives behind the attack are not yet clear.
It came ahead of the further easing of Covid-19 restrictions in France.
Macron was in the region meeting restaurateurs and students to discuss how life is gradually returning to normal.
From today, the overnight curfew previously in place has been moved from 9pm to 11pm.
Bars and restaurants are also now able to resume indoor dining for the first time in seven months.
