Macron in Youtube contest - what is he up to?
Macron allowed the popular French Youtubers and influencers Mcfly and Carlito to shoot a video with him at the Elysée Palace on the weekend. In the video, an "anecdote contest" which has been viewed over 10 million times, the president can be heard using slang. Is the president trying to boost his popularity, especially among younger voters, or is there more to it than that?
President has abased his office
The French president is torpedoing one of his key projects, criticises Le Figaro:
“The video of anecdotes does no credit to politics, influencers or the young. ... At the beginning of his presidency Macron launched what could be called a reform of the image of the presidential office. He tried to restore the function's prestige, grandeur, majesty and exclusivity. The president represents France and all French people, so he can't just behave like any other minister or parliamentarian. ... However, Macron has betrayed this promise in the course of his presidency, up to and including this unbelievable PR stunt, which - and this much is certain - marks a historical precedent in our contemporary political history.”
A born chameleon
France's president is skilfully extending his power, analyses Le Monde:
“This well-staged entertainment video is the culmination of a process of depoliticisation and direct media presence that Macron has wanted since 2017 in order to consolidate his power. On a different level, the participation of Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin in a police demonstration on Wednesday, which also testifies to the erasure of the political, also sends the same message. This blurring of categories is confusing and dizzying, nevertheless this actor-player-and-seducer president is capitalising on it with agility, leaving little room for the often disoriented opposition.”