Macron slammed for holidaying during Olympics as city workers do overtime

Emmanuel Macron has come under scrutiny after the French president jetted off for a holiday as the Olympics are underway in Paris. Macron taking a hiatus comes at a time when police leaves have been cancelled, accident and emergency doctors are on stand-by and municipal workers are putting in overtime to keep the city running for the biggest sporting event. 

According to reports, Macron left the capital city to vacation on the French Riviera alongside his wife, Brigitte, daughter Laurence Auzière and her partner Matthieu Graffensttadden.  

The family is staying at Fort de Brégançon which was once a military outpost, used by French troops in battles against the English in 1707 and 1793. The French president has equipped the historical fort with a swimming pool and secure communications to enable him to run the country from the seaside.

Notably, it is a family tradition for the Macrons to holiday at Brégançon which they have visited almost every year since he took office in 2017.

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Macron criticised 

However, the holiday has not gone down well with political opponents. Christian Piquet, a member of the left-wing New Popular Front (NPF), which won the most seats in the recently concluded snap elections called by Macron, said his party won't allow the president to get away easily. 

“We are going to put pressure on Emmanuel Macron right to the end. He will not leave for Brégançon with the feeling that we will leave him alone," said Piquet. 

Meanwhile, in a scathing editorial, the French daily Le Figaro called Macron the “casual worker of the Elysée” - referring to the official residence of the president. 

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The Paris Olympics started off on the wrong foot after far-left saboteurs destroyed the high-speed railway lines in the country on the day of the opening ceremony.  

Afterwards, the ceremony itself drew flak from all quarters as drag queens and transgenders performed what many described was a parody of the 'Last Supper' - leading to the organising body of the Olympics issuing an apology. 

Quizzed about the president stepping away at a crucial time, Macron's team said he was still at the helm, focusing on the Olympics and keeping a close eye on the events unfolding in the Middle East. The team said Macron spoke to Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s new president, on Monday. 

(With inputs from agencies)