French minister under fire for Playboy magazine cover
French Minister Sparks Debate Over Playboy Cover
French government minister Marlene Schiappa has faced backlash from within her own political faction following her appearance on the front page of Playboy magazine. The controversy arose as she participated in a 12-page feature discussing women’s rights and LGBTQ+ equality. Schiappa, who has held ministerial roles since 2017, was photographed in a white dress for the cover, prompting criticism from some of her colleagues.
A Champion of Gender Equality
As Minister for the Social Economy and French Associations, Schiappa has long been a vocal advocate for women’s rights. She was the first person to hold the position of Gender Equality Minister in France’s history, a role she assumed in 2017. During her tenure, she led the development of a significant sexual harassment law, which enables immediate fines for men who engage in catcalling or follow women on the street.
Political and Social Turmoil in France
France is currently navigating a deepening political and social crisis, fueled by President Emmanuel Macron’s push for contentious pension reforms despite strong public resistance. Sandrine Rousseau, a Green Party representative and women’s rights activist, told BFMTV that Schiappa’s Playboy appearance seemed to overshadow more pressing issues. “We are in the middle of a social crisis, there is the issue of policing, there are people between life and death, and I have the impression of being behind a smoke screen,” she said.
Criticism from Colleagues
Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne expressed disapproval of Schiappa’s cover choice, stating it “wasn’t appropriate, especially during this period,” according to BFMTV. Meanwhile, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a prominent French politician who finished third in the 2022 presidential race, criticized both Schiappa’s image and Macron’s decision to appear in a 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,” Mélenchon tweeted.
Defending Her Image
Schiappa responded to the criticism with a tweet, asserting that “Defending the right of women to have control of their bodies, that’s everywhere and all the time.” She emphasized women’s freedom in France, adding, “With all due respect to the detractors and hypocrites.” Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin later supported her, calling her a “woman of character” during an interview with CNews. “I wanted to say that Marlene Schiappa is a courageous female politician who has her character and who has her style which is not mine, but I respect,” he remarked.
“We are in the middle of a social crisis, there is the issue of policing, there are people between life and death, and I have the impression of being behind a smoke screen.” — Sandrine Rousseau, Green Party politician
“In a country where the President expresses himself in Pif and his minister in Playboy, the problem would be the opposition.” — Jean-Luc Mélenchon, French politician
“Defending the right of women to have control of their bodies, that’s everywhere and all the time. In France, women are free.” — Marlene Schiappa, French minister
