As Teddy Riner throws his hat in the race for the French presidency, amid France's sociopolitical and economic crises.
François Picard is pleased to welcome Lex Paulson, Director of Executive Programs at UM6P School of Collective Intelligence at at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University.
The prospect of Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner entering France's presidential race raises questions that extend well beyond the political ambitions of a celebrated athlete. At a time when traditional parties are struggling to mobilize voters and the political center remains deeply fragmented, Riner's emergence points to a broader transformation in democratic competition: the growing importance of personal credibility, public visibility and the capacity to embody an alternative to established political elites.
In an interview with France 24, Lex Paulson, Professor of Collective Intelligence at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, argues that the changing relationship between voters and political institutions is reshaping the conditions under which political outsiders can emerge.
"The currency of politics now is no longer just money to buy television advertisements or open offices. It's the ability to capture attention."
For Paulson, Riner's celebrity status gives him a considerable advantage in an increasingly fragmented media environment. Yet visibility alone does not confer political credibility.
