But his most recent stunt has led to accusations of sexism, with opposition figures on the left and right criticizing his “disruptive” and “macho” attitude.
“Gabriel Attal’s behavior with Valérie Hayer has a name: the breakup. Enough of this machismo! “, declared Raquel Garrido, parliamentarian of the left-wing group France Unbowed.
#EUROPEAN 🔴🗣 Prime Minister Gabriel Attal bursts into the auditorium of the Maison de la radio, to defend the candidacy of Valérie Hayer. “We must mobilize for lists that are pro-European,” he pleads. pic.twitter.com/B8tpjjPbwT
-franceinfo (@franceinfo) June 3, 2024
Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally, joined the criticism.
“The way the Prime Minister humiliated (Hayer) by inviting himself to one of his shows is a real shame,” Le Pen wrote on social media. “He would never have allowed himself this if the candidate had been a man.”
Hayer officially rejected the accusations and said she was not bothered by Attal’s appearance: “It is outrageous to accuse Gabriel Attal of misogyny…I am very proud to have him on my team. sides.”
But according to a pro-Macron campaign strategist, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly, Attal’s behavior created “a lot of unease at campaign headquarters”, with Hayer herself “not really happy” .
Politico
