French first lady Brigitte Macron released a rare statement on Tuesday condemning a physical assault on her great-grandson on the sidelines of a demonstration against her husband’s disputed pension reform.
Police said eight people were arrested in the northern French city of Amiens in connection with Monday night’s assault on Jean-Baptiste Trogneux, 30, who runs a family chocolate shop.
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Brigitte Macron denounced the “cowardice, stupidity and violence” of the assault.
French first lady Brigitte Macron’s nephew, Jean-Baptiste Trogneux, has reportedly been attacked by opponents of her husband’s pledge to raise the country’s retirement age to 64. (Marco Bertorello/AFP via Getty Images)
“I am in full solidarity with my family and have been in constant contact since 11pm yesterday,” he said. “I have repeatedly denounced this type of violence which can only lead to the worst”.
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Trogneux was reportedly making his way to his apartment above the chocolate shop when he was attacked. His father, Jean-Alexandre Trogneux, said the assailants insulted “the president, his wife and our family” before fleeing.
During a speech in Iceland, French President Emmanuel Macron called the violence “unacceptable and it shocks everyone”.
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The president told French television network TF1 on Monday evening that he will continue with unpopular pension reforms that will raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. The change has been the focus of months of anti-government protests.
