Emmanuel Macron has a unique style of politics: he uses his charm to win the affection of his colleagues. He was recently spotted in a tight embrace with his sports minister. But Macron has already interacted with many influential figures in a similar way.
Just like now with Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, Minister for Sport and for the Organisation of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Both attended the opening ceremony, but it was only days later that a photo of the event was made public that is currently causing a stir throughout France: a warm embrace and a kiss on the neck between the Minister of Sport and the President. Oudéa-Castéra pulls the President towards her in a way that seems to express more than just joy at the start of the Games.
Madame Figaro, the website for Le Figaro’s magazine, was the first to report on the “strange kiss”. It quotes some reactions on X, formerly Twitter, and asks indignantly “What kind of kiss is that between Oudéa-Castéra and Macron??!” Madame Figaro quotes, among other things, the criticism of an X user who finds the photo indecent, “not worthy of a president and a minister!”
The French media currently seem to have forgotten that Macron has actually been photographed in this or a similar way many times. Pictures of Macron and almost all political figures in the Western world are circulating on social media, showing him in a warm embrace, smiling, laughing or cuddling. The Internet has given this type of politics a name: kiss diplomacy. And Macron’s strategy seems to be working. Many of his colleagues look blissful in the pictures taken together. In fact, you might think they are in love.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
