Gabriel Attal, a French presidential candidate and former prime minister under President Emmanuel Macron, faced criticism after releasing a campaign video in which he is shown drinking beer. The video, part of his "1,000 Bistrots" initiative, announced plans to engage voters through debates held in bistrots nationwide. Attal framed this approach as a revival of French cultural tradition, citing historical moments such as the Enlightenment and the 1789 storming of the Bastille that took place in similar settings.
The video quickly drew controversy in France, a country known for its large alcoholic beverage industry and stringent laws regulating alcohol advertising. The political response highlighted a cultural and ideological divide. Supporters on the right defended alcoholic drinks like wine, beer, and brandy as integral to France’s national identity and heritage. Conversely, left-wing figures criticized the campaign, aligning their stance with public health concerns and demographic changes in the country.
Antoine Léaument, a member of the radical left-wing party France Unbowed, condemned the video as irresponsible, citing the health toll of alcohol consumption in France. Léaument noted that alcohol is linked to approximately 49,000 deaths annually, as well as significant percentages of road accidents and domestic violence cases. Psychiatrist Hugo Baup, who describes himself as politically engaged, described alcohol as a potent addictive substance and associated it with various forms of violence and mental health issues. Socialist MP Arthur Delaporte suggested that Attal’s video may contravene the intent, if not the letter, of laws prohibiting online promotion of alcohol by public figures.
Attal responded to the backlash by dismissing the controversy as "really idiotic," emphasizing that drinking beer did not equate to promoting alcoholism. He defended his position by highlighting the role of alcoholic beverages in France’s "art de vivre," or art of living well.
The politician’s campaign is currently trailing in opinion polls, and he faces pressure to withdraw and support Edouard Philippe, another former Macron prime minister competing for votes against Marine Le Pen, the candidate favored to win next year’s presidential election from the nationalist right-wing National Rally. Observers noted that the "1,000 Bistrots" campaign launch appeared to have done little to bolster Attal’s standing, attracting ridicule on social media, including comments questioning his authenticity as a beer enthusiast.