Political Figures in France Embrace Social Media Influencers to Engage Citizens

French politicians are increasingly collaborating with social media influencers to engage and educate the public on political issues.

Key Points

  • • Influencers are gaining access to political events to inform the public about governance.
  • • Léa Passion, an influencer, aims to clarify political processes without ideological bias.
  • • The trend of influencer engagement in politics is not new, having started around 2020.
  • • Critics express concern over the appropriateness of mixing politics with influencer culture.

Political communication in France is undergoing a significant transformation as politicians increasingly collaborate with social media influencers on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. This strategy aims to engage citizens who often feel distanced from traditional political discourse. For instance, influencer Léa Passion attended a recent Council of Ministers meeting and expressed her commitment to educating the public about political institutions, striving to demystify the political process for her audience of 35,000 Instagram followers without expecting financial compensation.

This trend isn't entirely new; it can be traced back to interactions involving figures such as Gabriel Attal, who engaged fitness influencer Tibo In Shape in 2020. Politicians have recently been seen on popular influencer platforms, including Sam Zirah’s YouTube channel, which is known for focusing on reality TV stars, to reach broader and often younger audiences. Ecologist MP Sandrine Rousseau recognized the necessity of these efforts to connect with individuals who typically do not engage in politics.

However, this blending of politics with influencer culture has sparked criticism. Skeptics argue that it may undermine the seriousness of political discussions, raising questions about the appropriateness of such engagements. While many see the potential for positive impact, the debate about the intertwining of politics and influencer culture continues to unfold.