Netizens lose it over French President Macron, minister's 'embarrassing' kiss
What's the story
French President Emmanuel Macron is currently under scrutiny following an intimate kiss with his sports minister, Amelie Oudea-Castera. The incident occurred during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics last Friday. A photograph capturing the moment shows Oudea-Castera kissing Macron's neck while one hand is tightly wrapped around his neck and the other gripping his arm. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal was also present in the picture, seemingly looking away from the scene.
Public response
Social media reacted to Macron's controversial kiss
The photograph of Macron and Oudea-Castera has since gone viral, amassing over 4M views on a post on X/Twitter. Despite France's cultural acceptance of kissing as a common form of greeting, this particular incident has sparked debate among users. Many believe the kiss crossed the line from a polite peck to something more "indecent." The reactions have been mixed, with some expressing "embarrassment" and others finding humor in the situation.
Twitter Post
Take a look at the viral images
🇫🇷📷 EN IMAGES | Emmanuel Macron et Amélie Oudéa-Castéra après la cérémonie d’ouverture des JO de #Paris2024. pic.twitter.com/MyNR6KOJmW
— Cerfia (@CerfiaFR) July 27, 2024
User comments
'It's my lover that I'm kissing like this. Embarrassing...'
Netizens have shared a range of reactions to the incident. One user commented, "It's my lover that I'm kissing like this. Embarrassing," as reported by the New York Post. Another expressed disapproval, stating, "I find this photo indecent, it's not worthy of a president and a minister." A third user took a lighter approach, jokingly commenting, "Amelie Oudea-Castera greedily kissing Macron. At least one who loves her boss, that's nice to see."
Viral impact
Macron's kiss inspired memes and media coverage
The incident has not only sparked debate on social media but also inspired a wave of memes, particularly imagining the reaction of Macron's wife, 71-year-old Brigitte Macron. French magazine Madame Figaro was the first to highlight the controversial photo. The magazine described Oudea-Castera as someone who "certainly knows how to get people talking about her," further fueling the ongoing discussion on social media.
About the personality
Meanwhile, know more about Oudea-Castera and her controversies
In January, Oudea-Castera was appointed as the education minister by President Macron. However, her tenure was cut short in less than a month following revelations that her children were enrolled in prestigious private schools. This revelation was particularly controversial given that Oudea-Castera had previously made critical remarks about public schools. The combination of these factors led to her removal from the position, as it sparked significant backlash and raised questions about her suitability for the role.