Macron's Embrace with Minister Sparks Controversy

A photograph of French President Emmanuel Macron and his sports minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, taken during the Paris Olympics 2024 opening ceremony, has gone viral and caused a stir on social media. The image shows Oudéa-Castéra kissing Macron’s neck while holding his head and gripping his arm, with French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal averting his gaze. The kiss, which some have labeled as 'intimate' and 'indecent,' has sparked mixed reactions, with some defending it as a friendly gesture and others criticizing it as inappropriate. The incident has drawn considerable media attention, with French magazine Madame Figaro describing the kiss as 'curious' and suggesting Oudéa-Castéra enjoys being in the spotlight. Despite the controversy, the opening ceremony itself was a historic and widely celebrated event, being the first to be held outside a stadium and featuring a parade on the River Seine.