French President Emmanuel Macron's Boxing Display Evokes Diverse Responses in France
Images of President Macron engaging with a punching bag have stirred a range of reactions, from amusement to bewilderment, among the French populace.
Photos of French President Emmanuel Macron punching a boxing bag have sparked a mix of reactions in France. Shared on Instagram by his official photographer Soazig de la Moissonnière, the black and white pictures capture Macron exercising in a snug dark T-shirt and gloves.
One image captures the president clenching his teeth while landing a punch on the bag, while the other shows him with a focused expression in between punches.
Experts have associated these images with Macron's growing firmness towards Moscow. Lately, Macron has been vocal about the potential deployment of Western troops to Kyiv, citing concerns about European security if Russia emerges victorious in Ukraine.
The photos were taken by Macron's official photographer Soazig de la Moissonnière.
The photos were taken by Macron's official photographer Soazig de la Moissonnière.
Others also mentioned the similarity between Macron's photo and those of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who often shares images of himself participating in activities like judo and horseback riding.
Yannick Jadot, a senator for the Europe Ecologie Les Verts (EELV) party, mentioned in an interview with TV channel France 2 that he sees Macron focusing heavily on rearmament. According to Jadot, Macron's approach mirrors that of Putin and other political leaders who adopt a macho stance in their policies.
Jadot also expressed criticism towards Macron for not taking sufficient action to resolve the conflict in Gaza, which he described as "carnage."
Vladimir Putin pictured riding a horse shirtless in August 2009.
Vladimir Putin pictured riding a horse shirtless in August 2009.
Alexey Druzhinin/Ria-Novosti/AFP/Getty Images
Sandrine Rousseau, a member of parliament for EELV, called out the president for the macho image portrayed in the photos.
"These codes of masculinity were overused. It's a shame for politics, a setback for progressivism, and a lack of effective political communication," Rousseau shared in a post on X.
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In a recent article for the left-wing paper Libération, commentator Jonathan Bouchet-Petersen referred to the president as "Rocky Macron" and criticized his chosen communication style as "quite appalling."
Bouchet-Petersen further commented that the photo in question only served to make Emmanuel Macron's geopolitical stance appear childish.
Philippe Moreau-Chevrolet, an expert in political communication and professor at Sciences-Po university in Paris, spoke to Le Parisien newspaper.
He explained that the message is directed towards Vladimir Putin. The president aims to demonstrate that he is actively engaged in the battle.
CNN’s Pierre Bairin and Emmanuel Nicolas Miculita contributed reporting.
Editor's P/S:
The release of photos depicting French President Emmanuel Macron engaged in boxing has elicited diverse reactions. Supporters view the images as a symbol of Macron's determination and commitment to European security, particularly in light of his recent statements advocating for the potential deployment of Western troops to Ukraine. Detractors, however, criticize the photos as an attempt to project a macho image, with some drawing parallels to Russian President Vladimir Putin's penchant for showcasing his physical prowess.
The article highlights the growing debate over the role of masculinity in politics, with some commentators expressing concern that Macron's focus on physicality may overshadow his political agenda. Critics argue that the president's embrace of a "macho" image undermines his progressive values and detracts from addressing pressing issues such as the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Additionally, the article raises questions about the effectiveness of using such imagery in political communication, with some experts suggesting that it may alienate certain segments of the population and fail to convey the president's intended message.
