European Parliament elections 2009 (43): Michel Barnier (France, UMP) uses blog, Facebook, and Twitter for online campaign

Although, as mentioned in previous posts, the European People's Party (EPP) is not really moving when it comes to a truly European campaign, national member parties are starting to raise voters' interest in the European elections.

Take for example Michel Barnier, French minister for the agriculture, former EU Commissioner for Regional Policy, former French Foreign Minister, Vice-President of the EPP and number 1 on the list of Sarkozy's centre-right Union for a Popular Movement (UMP). He is using all major means to promote himself online, starting with a blog, continuing on Facebook, and even not ignoring Twitter, where other online activities (e.g. a chat on Le Figaro) are cross-linked.

After I added myself (yes, I have joined Twitter) as a follower to Barnier's Twitter feed, he added himself within minutes to mine (which could a sign that this is managed by somebody else...?).

Nevertheless, this tells us that the campaign for the European elections seems to be taken seriously, at least in France. It is a sign that we might witness a change in style in how the European Parliament election campaign will be organised, and that expectations about the limited role of the internet for the 2009 EP elections could be proved wrong, at least partially.

(via eToile)

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Under the category "European parliament elections 2009" I am following up national and European activities on the path to the European Parliament elections 2009.

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