It must be a slow news week because much of the media has been in a frenzy over video footage of Emmanuel Macron downing a beer. The 17-second “remarkable performance” was met with whoops and cheers in the Stade de France changing room, but outside has promoted reports on “toxic masculinity,” problematic drinking, and an attempt to appeal to the Right.
Bernard Basset, a representative of the charity Association Addictions France, told BFMTV that Mr. Macron had failed in his “responsibility as a role model in terms of setting a healthy example for behaviour,” as The Guardian highlighted the sparking of a “binge-drinking row.” Addiction specialist William Lowenstein also described the act as “inappropriate,” suggesting that “you could do it, but not in front of the cameras.”
The president is also supposed to be guilty of celebrating “toxic masculinity.” As always, there is more than a strong element of party politicking in this criticism. (Criticism, it should be noted, of an act carried out by many a man and woman across France, and in less time. A good number of viewers in England are also likely to be more disappointed that this wasn’t a proper pint.)
From the opposition, Socialist Senator Laurence Rossignol responded: “A beer down in one? What’s he trying to prove? That he’s a real man? A macho cliché.” Green MP Sandrine Rousseau added that the downing displayed “toxic masculinity in political leadership in one image.” But within Mr. Macron’s ranks, ruling party MP Jean-Rene Cazeneuve said the clip showed nothing other than “a president who is sharing in the joy of 23 players and taking part in their traditions. That’s all.”
Commentators have managed to stretch the story even further than this. The president, they suggest, must be trying to win over the Right! The Guardian, again, notes that “the choice of Corona beer—favourite drink of the late right-wing president Jacques Chirac—led to comments about whether Macron was using it to make overtures to the Right.”
Some reports then ended by citing recent alcohol-related death figures, from the French government itself, no less.
Perhaps it is better to end this piece by quoting Toulouse Mayor Jean-Luc Moudenc, who said: “It was a nice, very spontaneous moment.” Cheers to that.
