French President Emmanuel Macron landed in another controversy after he was caught kissing and embracing Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra amid the 2024 Paris Olympic Games which raised many eyebrows and sent media into a frenzy.
The awkward photos of touchy moments between Macron and Oudéa-Castéra were all over the internet as some even said that it appeared like the affectionate display of a lover’s embrace.
In the controversial photo, the 46-year-old president was seen tightly holding the minister’s arm – who was a former professional tennis player and is now holding the portfolio of minister of sports.
In turn, Oudéa-Castéra is seen tightly clutching the bicep of the Macron with one hand and affectionately kissing him on the other side of the neck.
Here’s how netizens reacted to Macron’s controversial photo
Many netizens pointed out that the cringe factor of the photo was Prime Minister Gabriel Attal standing next to them but looking in a different direction, which many suggested was a conscious decision by the latter to avert his gaze from the public display of affection.
“Gabriel Attal, he pretends to look elsewhere! He doesn’t know where to stand!” said one user. “It’s my lover that I’m kissing like this. Embarrassing,” wrote another.
“I find this photo indecent, it’s not worthy of a president and a minister,” said a user.
French magazine Madame Figaro brought peoples’ attention to the weird photo and called it a “strange” kiss while claiming Oudéa-Castéra knows how to draw attention to herself.
Watch: France: Amid Olympic fever, far-left slams Macron over Government formation
Earlier this month, the sports minister took a dip in the Seine River to ensure that it was safe for the athletes. In many waterways, E.coli levels are known to be high which was a cause of concern as several events were to be held during the Olympics.
On Sunday (Jul 28), a pre-race triathlon event had to be cancelled due to concerns raised about the water quality.
In January, Oudéa-Castéra was given the position of education minister by Macron, however, she was removed from her position in less than a month after it was found that her children were studying at posh private schools and the minister was also found making disparaging remarks about public schools.
(With inputs from agencies)