French bodies slam Macron for supporting actor Depardieu accused of harassment

Last week, Macron, in an interview with the France 5 broadcaster, called for a fair investigation into the allegations against Depardieu based on the presumption of innocence. When asked about reports that Depardieu could be stripped of the National Order of the Legion of Honor, France's top order of merit, Macron said it was not created to "give lessons on morality", adding that "it is not taken away from an artist based on a report".

"Mr President of the Republic, you wanted your two five-year terms in office to be devoted to combating violence against women. You are pleased to note that you are above reproach in this matter. The lofty goal of your five-year term? It is just a political posturing, nothing more. Empty words for all the victims and all the people involved in this struggle. Your comments in the programme C a vous on Dec 20 show your lack of interest and total ignorance of sexism and sexual violence," MeTooMedia said in the letter, posted by French newspaper Le Monde.

The association's members further said that the very principle of presumption of innocence does not confirm the innocence of a suspect, adding that the actor has been under investigation since 2020, indicating the existence of serious and supporting evidence.

"You said of Gerard Depardieu: 'He makes France proud.' Words that involve all of us against our will and testify to the French impunity of an idol, a sacred monster to whom everything is forgiven. Depardieu does not need your presidential support," the letter said.

MeTooMedia added that tacit consent in the world of cinema allowed the actor to attack women with impunity and in plain sight. The authors of the letter recalled that Macron, in 2017, announced his intention to strip former Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein, accused of sexual harassment, of the order, although he was not yet a defendant at the time.

"Today, it is your words as president that strip complainants and all women who are victims of violence of the right to be heard," the letter read.

On Monday, over fifty cultural figures, including Famous French actor Pierre Richard and France's former first lady and singer, Carla Bruni, signed a letter in defence of Depardieu, condemning the "lynching that befell him" and calling for the presumption of innocence to be respected.

In mid-December, French Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak said Depardieu's behaviour brought shame to the country, adding that she had discussed the situation with the Grand Chancellor of the Legion of Honor and that the council would launch a disciplinary procedure to discuss the possibility of depriving Depardieu of France's top order of merit.

Earlier in December, the France 2 broadcaster reported that Depardieu had made several discriminatory remarks against women on set in North Korea in 2018.

Thirteen women have accused the actor of sexual harassment, the Mediapart newspaper reported in April. French actress Helen Darras claimed that Depardieu touched her without her consent on the set of Disco in 2007. The actor has also been investigated for sexually harassing French actress Charlotte Arnould. Depardieu has rejected all allegations.