Macron's ex-bodyguard handed jail sentence over May Day assaults

Macron and his Elysee palace workforce have been sharply criticized in 2018 for not instantly sacking Benalla, who was fired when a video of the incident emerged six weeks later.The video confirmed Benalla manhandling protesters throughout a police-led crowd management operation. While allowed in as an observer, he ended up collaborating within the operation, sporting police-marked clothes. He has mentioned he simply needed to assist police and did nothing unlawful.What grew to become broadly referred to as "the Benalla affair" raised questions on Macron's extremely centralized governing model and the vast powers conferred on the president below France's Fifth Republic. Macron rejected the accusations, saying the Elysee had not sought to guard Benalla.It was unclear if the ruling might have any impression on Macron's re-election possibilities in April. Opinion polls at present see him because the doubtless winner and the early marketing campaign has targeted on different points together with immigration and buying energy.Benalla, 30, instructed a Senate committee he had thought he was allowed to make use of the diplomatic passports, however had made a mistake."I am not a thug," he instructed a Senate inquiry in September 2018.The court docket additionally fined Benalla 500 euros ($575).