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Macron on Depardieu: “I have no regrets for having defended the presumption of innocence for a public figure, an artist in this case”
Macron on Depardieu: “I have no regrets for having defended the presumption of innocence for a public figure, an artist in this case” – (FRANCEINFO)
“If I have one regret, it is not having said enough how important the words of women who are victims of this violence are,” nevertheless recognized the Head of State during his press conference at the Elysium.
He accepts his comments despite the strong reactions. During his press conference on Tuesday January 16 at the Elysée, Emmanuel Macron declared that he did not “no regrets” for having defended the presumption of innocence of actor Gérard Depardieu, indicted for rape and targeted by three complaints for sexual assault or rape, in December on the show “C à vous”. “I have no regrets for having defended the presumption of innocence for a public figure – an artist in this case – as I did for political leaders”declared the head of state.
Emmanuel Macron defended the actor at the end of December. In the program “C à vous” on France 5, he greeted a “great actor” Who “makes France proud”and denounced “a manhunt”. “If I have one regret, it is not having said enough how important the words of women who are victims of this violence are, and how important this fight is to me,” recognized Emmanuel Macron Tuesday evening, in response to a journalist’s question.
Gérard Depardieu is the target of three complaints for sexual assault or rape, accusations which he refutes. He was indicted for rape following a complaint from a young actress, Charlotte Arnould. In a report by “Complément d’Enquête” broadcast on France 2 in December, the actor made multiple misogynistic and insulting remarks when addressing women.
“The subject of violence against women is a priority”
Feminist associations had described the declarations of the President of the Republic in December as “sputum” in the faces of victims of sexual violence. They had also denounced a “guilt reversal”. “Since the first day [de son premier quinquennat] and even before, the subject of violence against women is a priority, and we will continue to fight against this social phenomenon”said Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday.
“I am pleased that speech is being freed and I hope that it can be freed as much as possible”he added. “Our role is to allow its framework, that justice can do its work, that we protect the women who are threatened, but that, here too, we do not do it by forgetting the constitutional principles that are ours, including the presumption of innocence.”