French Government Minister Under Fire for Playboy Cover After Criticism from Colleagues
Marlene Schiappa, France's Social Economy Minister since 2017, has come under intense criticism after appearing on the front cover of Playboy magazine to promote a 12-page interview about women's and LGBT rights. The image was accompanied by an article criticizing French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to push through pension reform despite widespread public opposition.
Schiappa, who has been a vocal advocate for women's rights since being appointed as France's first-ever Gender Equality Minister in 2017, sparked outrage from her own party members after the cover shoot. The image shows Schiappa wearing a white dress and appears to be at odds with the more traditional values of some French politicians.
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne reportedly expressed her disappointment over the magazine cover, saying it was "not appropriate" - especially during a period when France is facing a major social crisis. Macron himself has also been criticized for his handling of the pension reform process, which has sparked widespread strikes across the country.
Critics like Green Party politician Sandrine Rousseau and far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon have weighed in on the controversy, arguing that Schiappa's appearance undermines her commitment to women's rights. Mélenchon even went so far as to compare Macron's decision to interview children's magazine Pif Gadget to Schiappa's appearance in Playboy.
However, not everyone is critical of Schiappa. French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin came to her defense on Sunday, calling her a "woman of character." Despite the backlash, Schiappa remains committed to promoting women's rights and control over their bodies.
The controversy surrounding Schiappa's appearance in Playboy has reignited debate about the role of women in French politics and the media. As France grapples with a social crisis triggered by pension reform, the incident highlights the challenges faced by politicians who advocate for progressive values in a country still grappling with traditional social norms.
Marlene Schiappa, France's Social Economy Minister since 2017, has come under intense criticism after appearing on the front cover of Playboy magazine to promote a 12-page interview about women's and LGBT rights. The image was accompanied by an article criticizing French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to push through pension reform despite widespread public opposition.
Schiappa, who has been a vocal advocate for women's rights since being appointed as France's first-ever Gender Equality Minister in 2017, sparked outrage from her own party members after the cover shoot. The image shows Schiappa wearing a white dress and appears to be at odds with the more traditional values of some French politicians.
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne reportedly expressed her disappointment over the magazine cover, saying it was "not appropriate" - especially during a period when France is facing a major social crisis. Macron himself has also been criticized for his handling of the pension reform process, which has sparked widespread strikes across the country.
Critics like Green Party politician Sandrine Rousseau and far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon have weighed in on the controversy, arguing that Schiappa's appearance undermines her commitment to women's rights. Mélenchon even went so far as to compare Macron's decision to interview children's magazine Pif Gadget to Schiappa's appearance in Playboy.
However, not everyone is critical of Schiappa. French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin came to her defense on Sunday, calling her a "woman of character." Despite the backlash, Schiappa remains committed to promoting women's rights and control over their bodies.
The controversy surrounding Schiappa's appearance in Playboy has reignited debate about the role of women in French politics and the media. As France grapples with a social crisis triggered by pension reform, the incident highlights the challenges faced by politicians who advocate for progressive values in a country still grappling with traditional social norms.
I mean, she's already been doing that job for ages and now she gets backlash for wanting to express herself too? It's like, she's not hurting anyone. The whole thing feels like a huge non-issue to me... 
news outlets are just trying to make her look bad because shes not fitting into their ideal politician mold 
it's time we stop judging people based on appearances instead of their actions 
. On one hand, I get that some of her own party members might be taken aback by the image - but she's been vocal about women's rights for ages, so it feels like a bit of hypocrisy to me. And what's with everyone making a big deal out of it? It's just a photo shoot! 
On the other hand, I do think Schiappa should've thought that one through before doing it - especially considering the timing and the backlash she's gotten from some of her own colleagues.
?
. While some might view her appearance as a contradiction to her advocacy for women's rights, I believe it's essential to recognize that this is a complex issue with no clear-cut solutions 
. As a politician, Schiappa has made a conscious choice to use her platform to bring attention to these issues, and her willingness to take risks is something to be commended 
. It's also worth noting that the fact that she's being criticized by some of her own party members says more about their own internal struggles with progressive values than it does about Schiappa herself 
? It's just another example of men trying to shame women and limit their power. Anyway, I think Schiappa handled the situation with class and integrity, and she should be applauded for standing up for what she believes in 
, but come on, she's still fighting for the same stuff she's always fought for. The PM and Macron are just trying to shut her down because they can't handle her being outspoken 
. Schiappa's a strong woman who won't back down, and I respect that 
... that's some serious hustle 
. Schiappa's commitment to women's rights is real, and we should be supporting her, not tearing her down 
.
" Marlene Schiappa, she's trying to promote women's rights and LGBT rights, but then she ends up on some super provocative magazine cover that's just gonna fuel the fire. I mean, I get it, she's a strong advocate for female empowerment, but does she really need to do this? 
! She's all about empowerin' women & fightin' for their rights, but then she goes ahead and does a Playboy spread to promote an article 
. I get it, she wants to talk about women's rights & LGBT issues, but did she really need to use her body as a prop? 
this is so interesting how one photo can stir up such strong opinions about a politician's commitment to women's rights 
. Meanwhile, the real issue is Macron's pension reform and how it's affecting ppl on the streets 
. I mean, can't we talk about that instead of Schiappa's personal choices? 
. It's hard to blame Schiappa for wanting to speak out, especially when women's rights are being pushed back in some quarters... I think this debate says a lot about how progressive France wants to be and where the tension lies between traditional values and modern progress 
I mean, come on, it's just a magazine cover right? Marlene Schiappa is all about promoting women's rights and empowering women, so why should she be judged for expressing herself in a way that makes her uncomfortable? 
that Marlene Schiappa is getting so much flak over this Playboy cover 
. I don't get why some of her party members are being so uptight about this 
Like, Jean-Luc Mélenchon is all up in arms about Schiappa's appearance, but then he goes and compares it to a kids' magazine cover 
. She's a total inspiration for women everywhere 
. #SchiappaDeservesRespect 