French President Emmanuel Macron is under fire from feminist figures following his public defense of actor Gérard Depardieu, who faces accusations of sexual assault and harassment from 13 women. The controversy escalated after a recent documentary shed light on Depardieu’s alleged misconduct, including incidents of sexual harassment and inappropriate remarks about a 10-year-old child.
In a television interview, President Macron dismissed the allegations against Depardieu as a “manhunt” and argued against withdrawing the Legion of Honour, France’s highest honor, awarded to the actor in 1996. Macron praised Depardieu as a “great actor” who “makes France proud,” asserting that moral judgments should not be based on “reports.”
The documentary, released this month, portrayed Depardieu engaging in inappropriate behavior, leading the Premier of Quebec to strip him of the Canadian province’s National Order honor on December 13. However, Macron’s defense has sparked outrage among feminist voices.
Sandrine Rousseau, a Green party MP, criticized Macron for insulting victims of sexual violence by supporting Depardieu. She emphasized that someone who sexualizes a child cannot be a source of national pride. Paris councillor for the Greens, Raphaëlle Rémy-Leleu, argued that without holding Depardieu accountable, victims of sexual assault would be overshadowed by a man’s reputation.
This incident adds to previous controversies surrounding Macron’s commitment to gender equality. In 2022, a report deemed his policies “insufficient” in transforming a “profoundly sexist system.” The appointment of Gérald Darmanin as interior minister in 2020, despite rape accusations, drew further criticism from feminist organizations. Although Darmanin has not been convicted, Macron’s support for figures accused of sexual misconduct continues to be a point of contention.
Élisabeth Borne, appointed prime minister by Macron in the previous year and France’s second female head of government, has not been able to counter the narrative that Macron’s actions do not align with his rhetoric on gender equality. Despite such appointments, feminist groups argue that French women are disappointed in the outcomes of Macron’s terms in office.
In the face of mounting criticism, Macron’s defense of Depardieu underscores the challenges he faces in reconciling his professed commitment to gender equality with the actions of his government, leaving many questioning the sincerity of his advocacy for women’s rights.
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