"Down with Macronia!" - Man slaps Macron during visit to Southern France

French President Emmanuel Marcon has been slapped in the face by a man shortly after he ventured out and went too close to his supporters to greet them.

The Tuesday, June 8, incident left many with their mouths agape, trying to contemplate what the president could have done to warrant the slap from the man.

Macron's security aides quickly intervened and pulled the man to the ground and whisked the head of state away from the scene.

In the now-viral clip, the president, who was all smiles and could be seen happily walking towards the crowd that was behind a metal barrier.

Macron reached out his hand to greet the man, who was draped in a green t-shirt, sunglasses and a face mask, but the civilian could not let go of the president's hand.

The man could be heard shouting "Down with Macronia" ("A Bas La Macronie") before delivering a slap on Macron's face.

VIDEO: French President Emmanuel Macron was slapped in the face today during a stop in southeastern France. @AFP reports “just before the slap, is shouted the royalist war cry "Montjoie Saint Denis!", As well as "Down with macronie!"”
More: https://t.co/2vTx92lhkR pic.twitter.com/enVh0MJMHk

— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) June 8, 2021

Two of Macron's security detail tackled the man, while another whisked France's first-in-command to safety.

Macron, however, remained near the crowd for a few more seconds, appearing to be talking to someone on the other side of the barriers before leaving.

French authorities arrested three people in connection to the incident; two of them did not assault the president directly.

The incident took place while Macron visited the Drome region in south-eastern France, where he met restaurateurs and students.

Source: msn.com