- Title: Feminist groups denounce two new French ministers for alleged rape, misogynism
- Date: 7th July 2020
- Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (JULY 7, 2020) (REUTERS) NEWLY APPOINTED GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN, GABRIEL ATTAL, ARRIVING FOR NEWS BRIEFING (SOUNDBITE) (French) NEWLY APPOINTED GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN, GABRIEL ATTAL, SAYING: "First, on the question on the investigations on (newly appointed Interior Minister) Gerald Darmanin, I will clearly say that we can't on one hand deem sacred the presumption of innocence in all circumstances and consider it to be an essential foundation of our country - which I think and I hope is the case for everyone - and consider that there are people, because of the political position they have, who could not benefit from this presumption of innocence. There are investigations that are ongoing, and it's normal, we're in a lawful state." ATTAL DURING BRIEFING (SOUNDBITE) (French) NEWLY APPOINTED GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN, GABRIEL ATTAL, SAYING: "We have very strong personalities in this government and people who have had particular professional paths, which is Eric Dupond-Moretti's case, who had to take up positions during this path, when they're practising their professions, in this case the profession of being a lawyer, and maybe other professions for other members of the government. When we join the government, we become one with the government's actions, and I can assure you that everyone is united in this action. As for the rest, I think each one will have the chance to answer to your questions." NEWS BRIEFING ENDING
- Embargoed: 21st July 2020 18:22
- Keywords: Darmanin Dupond-Moretti France MeToo movement accusations feminists government reshuflle protest
- Location: PARIS, FRANCE
- City: PARIS, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA005CLTAEDJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: PLEASE NOTE: EDIT CONTAINS NUDITY
Feminist groups staged demonstrations in Paris on Tuesday (July 7) a day after a new lineup of ministers was revealed by the government in the latest reshuffle.
Feminist activists accuse the government of misogyny for appointing Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, who faces allegations of rape, and Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti, whom they deem sexist based on his comments against the MeToo movement.
Several dozen protesters held up signs calling the reshuffle "shameful" and expressed their anger at Darmanin and Dupond-Moretti at one protest in the French capital.
Three topless women also protested in front of the Elysee Palace in Paris, one of them bearing the slogan "RIP The Promises", shortly before President Emmanuel Macron held his first cabinet meeting with his reshuffled government.
The three women, at least one of whom had the name of the feminist group Femen written on her back, were arrested by the police.
The Paris appeal court in June ordered the reopening of an investigation into a rape allegation against Darmanin, two years after a judge dismissed the case.
The initial inquiry into the allegations against Darmanin, who is a close political ally of President Emmanuel Macron, was dropped in August 2018 when prosecutors, said they could not establish "absence of consent".
A woman accused the then budget minister of coercing her into having sex in 2009 when she sought his help in having her criminal record cleared. She appealed against the decision to drop the investigation but the Paris appeal court had said she did so too late.
Dupond-Moretti, who was a practising lawyer, told GQ magazine in an interview that there are "crazy women who tell nonsense and question a man's honour, who cannot defend himself because he's already been crucified in social media".
Speaking in a post-cabinet meeting news briefing, newly appointed government spokesman Gabriel Attal defended Darmanin, saying he deserves the presumption of innocence. Attal added that Dupond-Moretti had acted based on his profession of being a lawyer.
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