In a sequence of tense exchanges across European political circles, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne publicly reproached Marlene Schiappa, the Minister of State for Social and Solidarity, Economy and Public Life, following Schiappa’s interview with Playboy magazine. Reports from Le Figaro cited unnamed sources close to the matter, noting that Borne called Schiappa to express strong disapproval, labeling the interview as drastically inappropriate within the current social climate. The same sources indicate Schiappa had defended her decision on Twitter, arguing that she was upholding women’s rights across the globe and stressing that women in France enjoy personal freedoms. The incident has sparked a broader discussion about gender, leadership, and media engagement in government roles. (citation: Le Figaro)
Separately, on December 30 of the previous year, Irakli Kobakhidze, head of the ruling Georgian Dream party in Georgia, criticized the country’s president Salome Zurabishvili amid ongoing political turbulence. Kobakhidze questioned why participants aligned with actions against the pardon of former president Mikheil Saakashvili, signaling strain within domestic politics and prompting questions about accountability and public sentiment. (citation: local press reports)
Earlier, on December 28, 2022, Andrey Turchak, secretary of the General Council of United Russia, reprimanded Alexander Brechalov, the head of Udmurtia, and Andrey Nikitin, governor of the Novgorod region, for failing to attend a scheduled working meeting. The reprimand reflected intra-party expectations around participation and governance commitments, underscoring Russia’s emphasis on visible leadership and engagement across regional authorities. (citation: party communications)