French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte were at the centre of an astonishing security scare when furious anti-government swarmed towards them in a Paris park.
'Macron Resign' was the chant as the 42-year-old head of state and the first lady, who is 67, were approached in the Tuileries Garden, close to the Elysée Palace, where they live, on Tuesday afternoon.
They were walking hand in hand at the end of Bastille Day – the July 14 French national holiday, but this did not deter the demonstrators.
'The black beast – it's incredible,' said one, while others booed and swore openly while the disturbing scene was broadcast live on social media, including Twitter and Facebook.
As the couple's security guards tried to calm the situation, Mr Macron walked towards his tormentors and said 'Happy July 14' before trying to usher them away.
He was wearing a black leather jacket, with onlookers noting his resemblance to the Fonz, the character played by Henry Winkler in the American hitcom Happy Days who was obsessed with being 'cool'.
After a political argument started about police violence against Yellow Vests – the protest movement that has been active in France for almost two years – Mr Macron told the group to 'stay cool, and there will be no problems.'
'It's a public holiday and I'm going for a walk with my wife,' said Mr Macron, adding that the protestors are not 'models of respect', while he was.
One of the men then said: 'Mr President, I'm older than you. You are my employee, Mr. President. We are respectful, I did not show you disrespect, at least not today.
'Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt him. I don't even want to. I will hurt him with my vote in 2022'.
This is the year of the next presidential election, when Mr Macron's first five year term will end.
He then said Mr Macron was due 'to be fired,' while also calling for an end to the BRAV (Brigade of Repression of Violent Action) – a rapid reaction police motorbike unit set up last year to deal with rioters.
'It not the President of the Republic who does that!' Mr Macron retorts, telling the men not to shout, and to take their complaints to his new Interior Minister, Gérald Darmanin.
Nobody was arrested during the confrontation, and the Macrons were able to make their home to the presidential palace on foot, still surrounded by security guards.
'Macron Resign' was the chant as the 42-year-old head of state and the first lady, who is 67, were approached in the Tuileries Garden, close to the Elysée Palace, where they live, on Tuesday afternoon.
They were walking hand in hand at the end of Bastille Day – the July 14 French national holiday, but this did not deter the demonstrators.
'The black beast – it's incredible,' said one, while others booed and swore openly while the disturbing scene was broadcast live on social media, including Twitter and Facebook.
As the couple's security guards tried to calm the situation, Mr Macron walked towards his tormentors and said 'Happy July 14' before trying to usher them away.
He was wearing a black leather jacket, with onlookers noting his resemblance to the Fonz, the character played by Henry Winkler in the American hitcom Happy Days who was obsessed with being 'cool'.
After a political argument started about police violence against Yellow Vests – the protest movement that has been active in France for almost two years – Mr Macron told the group to 'stay cool, and there will be no problems.'
'It's a public holiday and I'm going for a walk with my wife,' said Mr Macron, adding that the protestors are not 'models of respect', while he was.
One of the men then said: 'Mr President, I'm older than you. You are my employee, Mr. President. We are respectful, I did not show you disrespect, at least not today.
'Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt him. I don't even want to. I will hurt him with my vote in 2022'.
This is the year of the next presidential election, when Mr Macron's first five year term will end.
He then said Mr Macron was due 'to be fired,' while also calling for an end to the BRAV (Brigade of Repression of Violent Action) – a rapid reaction police motorbike unit set up last year to deal with rioters.
'It not the President of the Republic who does that!' Mr Macron retorts, telling the men not to shout, and to take their complaints to his new Interior Minister, Gérald Darmanin.
Nobody was arrested during the confrontation, and the Macrons were able to make their home to the presidential palace on foot, still surrounded by security guards.