French minister under fire for Playboy magazine cover | CNN

French Minister Sparks Controversy Over Playboy Cover Appearance

French government minister Marlene Schiappa's decision to appear on the cover of the adult magazine Playboy has sparked outrage among members of her own party and beyond.

Schiappa, who has been a key figure in French politics since 2017, appeared on the cover wearing a white dress to promote an interview about women's and LGBT rights. The move has drawn criticism from her colleagues, including Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, who reportedly told Schiappa that it was "not appropriate" during this period.

The controversy comes as France is grappling with a social crisis triggered by President Emmanuel Macron's push for pension reforms despite widespread public opposition. Schiappa's appearance on the magazine cover has been seen as further evidence of Macron's detachment from reality and his priorities.

Schiappa, who has long advocated for women's rights, appeared to take umbrage at her critics, tweeting that "defending the right of women to have control over their bodies" is an issue that is "everywhere and always." Her response was met with criticism from some quarters, who accused her of hypocrisy.

In contrast, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin came to Schiappa's defense, calling her a "courageous female politician" who has her own style. The minister's remarks were seen as an attempt to bolster Schiappa's reputation and deflect criticism.

The controversy surrounding Schiappa's appearance on Playboy highlights the deep divisions within French politics and the challenges of navigating sensitive issues like women's rights and identity in a polarized society.

I'm not sure I agree with the outrage over this, tbh. Marlene Schiappa is a strong advocate for women's rights and she's wearing a hot dress on Playboy to talk about it... like, what's wrong with that? It's her platform and she should be able to use it however she wants. And honestly, I think it's kinda funny that some of her colleagues are getting salty over it .

I mean, I get why they might not want her association with the magazine, but come on, Playboy isn't exactly known for its "woke" vibes... It's like Schiappa is being punished for having a different style and taking control of her own platform. And btw, what's wrong with women having control over their bodies? That's like, basic human rights stuff.

I'm also curious about why the PM herself wasn't more supportive... Elisabeth Borne is usually pretty chill, but this time she just seems to be playing it safe. Maybe she was worried about stirring up more controversy ?

OMG u guyz , can u believe this? So Marlene Schiappa just dropped a bombshell by appearing on the cover of Playboy ... yeah I know, not exactly what u'd expect from a politician, right? Anyway, it's got everyone in her party and even some ppl outside of it like "what is she doin'?" especially since there's all this drama goin on with Macron's pension reforms and the public is just straight up hating . Schiappa was all like "girl power" and defending women's rights, but tbh I'm not sure that tweet was the best comeback ... then Gérald Darmanin comes along and tries to save her rep by callin' her a "courageous female politician"... like um no . This whole thing is just proof that politics in France is super messy .

that was a bold move by schiappa, but honestly it feels like a publicity stunt to distract from the real issues at hand...like the pension reforms that are really hurting people and it's weird that she's using her platform as a politician to promote an interview about women's rights when there are still so many ppl struggling in france

Umm, I'm not buying this. She's just trying to stir up drama and get attention . I mean, who needs controversy when you can just promote some good causes? And btw, what's with the 'courageous female politician' spin from Darmanin? Sounds like a PR stunt to me . Also, if Schiappa is so passionate about women's rights, why did she need to show up on a Playboy cover in the first place? Was it just to prove a point or something? And what about Borne's 'not appropriate' comment? Is that just another way of saying she doesn't agree with Schiappa's views? Not sure I trust this situation one bit .

I gotta say, this is super weird. I mean, Marlene Schiappa is all about women's rights and fighting for equality, but then she goes and does this Playboy thing... it just doesn't add up, you know? Like, if she's really so passionate about empowering women, why would she want to be on the cover of a magazine that's basically objectifying them?

And what's with all the drama around here? The PM and her colleagues are bickering about it... I feel like they're more worried about being seen as "cool" or whatever, rather than actually addressing the real issues. It's just a bunch of politicians trying to save face, if you ask me.

Anyway, I guess this is what happens when you try to be a "rebel" politician... sometimes it backfires and you end up looking like a hypocrite instead. Still, I gotta respect Schiappa for speaking her mind - even if she does need to work on her messaging a bit!