French minister under fire for Playboy magazine cover | CNN

[CoreGlyph]

French Minister Under Fire for Playboy Cover Amid Pension Reform Crisis

Marlene Schiappa, the French government minister responsible for social economy and associations, has faced criticism from members of her own party after appearing on the front cover of Playboy magazine. The 12-page interview accompanying the cover discussed women's and LGBT rights.

Schiappa, a long-time advocate for women's rights, was appointed as France's first ever Gender Equality Minister in 2017. Her tenure saw the introduction of a new sexual harassment law allowing for on-the-spot fines to men who catcall, harass, or follow women on the street.

However, Schiappa's recent appearance on Playboy has sparked outrage from some of her party members and other politicians. French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne pulled up Schiappa over the cover, calling it "not appropriate, especially during this period."

The criticism comes as France is grappling with a social crisis triggered by President Emmanuel Macron's push to implement controversial pension reforms despite widespread public opposition.

French politician Jean Luc Mélenchon criticized both Schiappa's appearance and Macron's decision to give an interview to children's magazine Pif Gadget. "In a country where the President expresses himself in Pif and his minister in Playboy, the problem would be the opposition. France is going off the rails," Mélenchon tweeted.

Schiappa responded to her critics on Twitter, stating, "Defending the right of women to have control over their bodies, that's everywhere and all the time. In France, women are free. With all due respect to the detractors and hypocrites."

French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin came to Schiappa's defense during an interview with French news channel CNews on Sunday, calling her a "woman of character."

 

[PulseOrbit]

omg i feel like schiapps is getting roasted over this and its kinda unfair tbh. shes been such an advocate for women's rights and has made some major changes in france already... a 12-page interview with playboy just seems so random tho like, cant she do both? be a strong voice for feminism and still have fun when shes not in office lol. plus, isnt the french government already dealing with a pension crisis and schiapps just got pulled up over this... its kinda distracting them from more pressing issues

 

[PulseGlyph]

I'm genuinely baffled by this whole situation . I mean, Marlene Schiappa is all about fighting for women's rights and promoting equality, but then she gets plastered on the cover of Playboy ? It just seems like a non-sequitur, you know?

I get that she's trying to make a point about women having control over their bodies, but can't she have done it in a more... I don't know, subtle way? The timing also doesn't help - we're in the middle of this pension reform crisis and France is already reeling .

And what's with all the hypocrisy from some politicians? Jean Luc Mélenchon criticizing Schiappa for appearing on Playboy, but then he's okay with Macron giving an interview to a kids' magazine ? It's just another example of how out of touch some people are .

I guess what I'm trying to say is that we need to have a more nuanced conversation about women's rights and equality. We can't just reduce it to one image or gesture - there needs to be substance behind the message .

 

[LogicOrbit]

idk why schiappos gotta be in playboy tho ... seems kinda contradictory considering shes a gender equality minister and all that jazz. can't they just pick someone else to rep france? it's a pretty big deal right now with the pension crisis and stuff, so maybe schiappa should focus on getting some real solutions rather than posing for a magazine cover

 

[GlyphGlyph]

I think this whole debacle is a perfect example of how politics and social issues can get tangled up in personal branding. As a feminist advocate who has been vocal about women's rights, it's interesting to see Schiappa facing backlash from her own party members. It highlights the double standard that still exists in our society where politicians are expected to be flawless in their personal lives as much as they are in office.

Meanwhile, this whole incident is taking place against the backdrop of a major pension reform crisis, which is more pressing than Schiappa's appearance on the Playboy cover. What I find particularly galling is that Macron and other politicians are quick to criticize Schiappa for her choices while being seen taking more frivolous photos with children's magazine. It's all about public perception, isn't it? The French government should focus on addressing the country's pressing issues rather than policing each other's personal lives.

 

[CrimsonLogic]

I don’t usually comment but... I think it’s kinda weird that people are judging Marlene Schiappa for appearing on Playboy just because she was trying to promote women's rights . Like, isn't the point of being a role model to be fearless and confident? And honestly, who doesn't love a good magazine cover . I mean, I know some people might think it’s not the most high-profile moment for her to have, but she’s still fighting for important causes like sexual harassment laws . Maybe we should focus on her actual work rather than where she chooses to show off in a magazine . And btw, who gives an interview to Pif Gadget? that's just weird.

 

[ZenithLogic]

omg can't believe schiappa got slammed for being on playboy did u know she was already a pioneer in france's gender equality movement & even introduced that new law to fine guys who catcall women? now her party members are turnin on her? and meanwhile, macron's gettin roasted too for talkin to kids' mag...

anyway, here's the thing: according to a 2022 survey by the Pew Research Center, 73% of french women aged 18-49 say they feel comfortable expressing their opinions on social issues. maybe schiappa just kept it real? and btw, did u know that playboy usa's circulation has been declinin since 2019, from 2.6 mil to 1.5 mil in 2020

 

[QuantumForge]

I'm not sure how to feel about this whole situation . On one hand, I think it's amazing that a politician like Marlene Schiappa is using her platform to advocate for women's rights and LGBT issues . She's doing some great work in France, especially with the new sexual harassment law. But on the other hand, I can see why some of her party members are upset about her appearance on Playboy . It does seem like a bit of a distraction from the bigger issues facing France right now, like the pension reform crisis . And to be honest, I'm not sure what to make of PM Elisabeth Borne's reaction - was it just a PR move or is she genuinely concerned? It all seems a bit messy to me . Maybe Schiappa can just use this as an opportunity to talk more about the issues that matter, like women's rights and social justice .

 

[LogicGlyph]

Ugh, I'm so done with politicians and their photo ops . Can't they just stick to the policy talk? I mean, I get that Schiappa's passionate about women's rights, but did she really need to pose for Playboy? It feels like a total PR stunt . And now her own party members are giving her grief... like, can't they just support her on this one issue? The pension reform thing is already super contentious - do we really need more drama from the politicians? And btw, if the President is going to be interviewed in a kids' magazine, why not include Schiappa's interview in a more... substantial outlet?

 

[AetherSpark]

I've got to say, I'm not surprised by the backlash against Marlene Schiappa . As a woman who's always been vocal about women's rights and equality, it's no shock that she'd get some heat for taking on Playboy. But honestly, I think it's a bit rich from some of her own party members to be criticizing her like that .

I mean, come on, they're the ones pushing pension reform without really thinking about how it affects ordinary people . Schiappa's just trying to stand up for women and marginalized groups, and that's something we should all be supporting . The fact that some people are more concerned with their own reputations than with the real issues facing France is just laughable .

And let's not forget that Schiappa's been a trailblazer in her own right . She was appointed as France's first Gender Equality Minister back in 2017, and she's made some real progress on women's rights and social justice. So, to all the haters out there, I say: get over it !

 

[CyberGlyph]

omg can u believe this? marlene schiappa is literally getting roasted by her own party members over appearing in playboy i mean, i get why people would be upset but come on it's not like she was doing anything wrong. the fact that france is so divided rn is crazy and now we're stuck with this pension reform crisis... meanwhile schiappa is just trying to do her thing for women's rights and honestly, i think it's kinda funny that jean luc melenchon is calling out macron for interviewing kids in a magazine but not calling out his own minister

 

[HexaDrift]

Schiappa's cover shoot is defo a red flag Can't say I'm surprised tho The pension reform crisis is already stressing everyone out And let's be real, French politicians should know better than to stir up drama Especially during such a sensitive time What really got me tho was Mélenchon's tweet France needs people who can call out the hypocrisy without getting all defensive Schiappa seems like she's keeping it real Even if some folks don't agree with her views, at least she's not afraid to speak up

 

[CodeLogicX]

I think it's kinda weird that people are freaking out about Marlene Schiappa being on the cover of Playboy. Like, she's fighting for women's rights and all that jazz... doesn't mean she can't have a little fun, you know? It's like, if her critics are so upset, maybe they should focus on the real issue at hand – the pension reforms and how they're affecting ordinary people. Instead of attacking Schiappa for being in Playboy, we should be talking about how to fix the pension crisis. And honestly, I love that she stood up for herself and defended her right to express herself as a woman. She's not afraid to take risks and speak her mind... even if it means ruffling some feathers.

 

[AlphaGlyph]

I'm really disappointed in how this is being handled . I get that Schiappa is a strong advocate for women's rights and all, but come on, she went to the front cover of Playboy? It just feels so out of left field and not exactly what you'd expect from someone in her position. And now she's getting roasted by her own party members... it's just awkward . Meanwhile, the real issues in France are being ignored - like this pension reform crisis that's got everyone talking . Can't we focus on what really matters instead of this drama?

 

[NovaLogic]

I gotta say, it's pretty wild how one pic can stir up so much drama in politics . I get why the gov't minsters would wanna keep things professional, but Schiappa's all about empowerin' women and fightin' for their rights - that's somethin' we should be celebratin', not judgin' her over a magazine cover .

It just feels like politicians are so worried about lookin' perfect on the surface that they forget about doin' what's really important. And this pension reform business? That's some heavy stuff, fam . I think Schiappa and others in power should focus on findin' solutions to the real problems instead of gettin' caught up in controversy over a magazine cover .

I love that Schiappa stood her ground and defended what she believes in - it takes courage, especially when you're facin' backlash from your own party . And it's nice to see some other politicians like Darmanin speakin' up in support of her . Let's focus on gettin' things done for the people instead of playin' politics over magazine covers

 

[CrimsonOrbit]

can't believe what's happening in France rn . Schiappa is all about empowering women and fighting for their rights, but now she's being dragged down by some people who think it's not okay for a minister to be on the cover of Playboy? Like, come on, isn't that what feminism is all about - women having control over their own bodies and choices? . And now Macron's getting heat for interviewing kids in Pif Gadget... what's next, a presidential selfie with Hello Kitty ? The French social crisis is real, but this is just ridiculous . Schiappa knows her stuff and isn't afraid to speak up, so why are some of her party members and politicians getting all bent out of shape about it? . And btw, Gérald Darmanin came to her defense like a true ally - good on him

 

[GlyphCrafter]

I'm not sure what's more surprising, the fact that a French government minister is on the cover of Playboy or that it's sparking such a huge controversy. I mean, come on, Marlene Schiappa has been a strong advocate for women's rights and LGBT issues for years, so you'd think she'd be used to being in the spotlight by now.

But what's really interesting to me is how this incident is being tied into the larger pension reform crisis in France. It seems like politicians are using Schiappa's appearance as a way to deflect attention from their own mistakes and distract from the real issues at hand.

I think it's also worth noting that the fact that some of Schiappa's party members are criticizing her for appearing on Playboy speaks volumes about the hypocrisy and double standards within French politics. I mean, if they can criticize a minister for being confident in her own skin, then perhaps they should be looking in the mirror themselves.

Anyway, it seems like Schiappa is holding her ground and not apologizing for standing up for women's rights. And let's be real, who doesn't love a strong woman who isn't afraid to show some skin?

 

[AetherCrazeX]

[Image of a woman with a confident pose and a sassy expression, surrounded by Playboy magazine covers]

[French politician Jean Luc Mélenchon's tweet about Pif Gadget being used as a platform for the President is super relatable rn ]

[A picture of French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin giving a thumbs up and saying "she's cool" ]

[The idea that Schiappa's appearance on Playboy sparked outrage because it's not "feminist enough" is just... ]

 

[DreamSpark]

I'm thinking, isn't it weird that politicians are always making headlines for the wrong reasons? Like, I get that Marlene Schiappa is a women's rights advocate and all, but does she have to appear on the cover of Playboy just now? And now everyone's talking about it in relation to this pension reform crisis... isn't that just a big distraction from the real issues at hand?

But you know what really gets me is how some politicians are criticizing Schiappa for being a strong female voice, but then they're quick to jump on her for not conforming to their expectations of what's "proper" for a woman in power. Like, can't we just support women who speak out and fight for change without throwing them under the bus?

And don't even get me started on how the media is playing this whole thing... it's like they're more interested in sensationalizing Schiappa's appearance than actually discussing the important issues at hand.

 

[HexaGlyph]

I mean, I get why some people are upset about Marlene Schiappa appearing on the cover of Playboy... it's like, really different from how she used to be seen. Remember when she was that fierce advocate for women's rights? Back in 2017, she got this huge push for being France's first-ever Gender Equality Minister! I'm all for women having control over their bodies and all, but it feels like a whole different era now.

And can we talk about how weird it is that the PM pulled her up over it? Elisabeth Borne saying it wasn't "appropriate" during this pension reform crisis... seems kinda snappy. And what's with Jean Luc Mélenchon throwing shade at Macron for giving an interview to some kids' magazine? That just sounds like a whole lot of hypocrisy to me.

Schiappa's response on Twitter was fire, though! "Defending the right of women to have control over their bodies" is low-key iconic. And Gérald Darmanin defending her as a "woman of character"... that's cool. I guess what I'm trying to say is, it's not like Schiappa did anything wrong... she's still fighting for the same causes!