(Adnkronos) – The mayor of the French town of Villeneuve-de-Marc, a municipality of about 1,100 inhabitants in the Isère department (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), was hospitalized last night in serious condition after being attacked in the street by a resident. France Bleu reported this last night. According to France Inter this morning, his condition is slowly improving.
Gilles Dussault was violently attacked in the afternoon, shortly before 5 p.m., while walking with his 28-year-old son, France Bleu reported. The Vienne prosecutor’s office has opened an attempted murder investigation. The attacker used an “undetermined object” to injure the 60-year-old man in the chest. The son sustained minor injuries. The attacker then fled, hitting a wall with his car.
According to French media, he is still actively sought. French President Emmanuel Macron commented last night with a message posted on social media: “When an elected representative is attacked, it is the Nation that supports him. Our thoughts are with Gilles Dussault, mayor of Villeneuve-de-Marc, and with his son, who were violently attacked,” he said. “When its representatives are attacked, the Republic must be severe and uncompromising. We are doing everything possible to find and condemn the perpetrator of this cowardly act.”
