Last Friday, French MP Benjamin Griveaux jumped from the mayoral election in Paris, where he stood as candidate for President Macron's party En Marche. Now the Macron government's hope stands instead for Health Minister Agnès Buzyn, who joins the game.

The reason for the drop-off is a sex video that is said to portray him Benjamin Griveaux, and which spread last week on social media.

- For over a year, my family has been subjected to derogatory comments, rumors, anonymous attacks, disclosure of stolen private conversations and death threats. As if that wasn't enough yesterday, a new level was reached yesterday, Benjamin Griveaux said during Friday's press conference.

Russian artist is alleged to have spread the video - is a political refugee

The leaked video must have been sent from Griveaux to a woman he had a deal with - something the mayor's candidate did not deny. Russian artist Pjotr ​​Pavlenskij, who lives in Paris, claims that he is the one who posted the video online. His explanation is that he wants to reveal what he calls the candidate's "hypocrisy".

- Benjamin Griveaux was a candidate who launched his campaign on huge lies, with terrible hypocrisy. He launched a campaign using his family. He used his wife and children to project a political image that portrayed him as an icon for Paris spouses and fathers, Pjotr ​​Pavlenskij said.

Both the artist and his girlfriend have been arrested and suspected of having spread the clip, which can be criminal. The issue has aroused strong feelings in France, among other things because Pavlensky in 2017 was granted asylum in France as a political refugee after protesting against the Russian government.

Great support for Griveaux

Infidelity deals are not uncommon in French politics and, as a rule, do not constitute an obstacle to a successful career - several French presidents have been revealed with mistresses or even other families. Several politicians have shown their support for Griveaux - even among his most outspoken opponents.

The leftist politician Alexis Corbière complained about the "moralization and Americanization" of the political conversation, in which "people are forced to apologize for having lovers or mistresses".