While initially met with scepticism, the Phryge mascot won everyone over during the Olympic Games - so much so that social media users are now banking on Emmanuel Macron appointing the mascot as the new French Prime Minister. Jokes aside, they may be onto something...
ADVERTISEMENTPost-Olympics blues is in full swing, and now that the festivities have ended, it’s back to the daily grind. Until the Paralympics arrive on 28 August, naturally.
One burning question remains who the next French Prime Minister will be, following the dissolution of the Assemblée by President Emmanuel Macron and the snap elections in July. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal officially resigned from his position but was appointed to lead a 'caretaker government' as the dispute over the next PM continues among the elected coalition.
Now, one candidate has emerged, and social media seems to be all for it...
Indeed, internet users want the Olympic mascot Phryge to be the next PM.
While initially met with scepticism – considering the anthropomorphic Phrygian cap unmistakably resembles a gurning plush clitoris – the Phryge quickly became one of the stars of the Olympics.
Throughout the games, it could be seen hyping up the crowds, delighting kids and adults alike with its slightly worrying rictus grin, and its image adorned t-shirts, caps, mugs and countless other merch, with fans desperate to get their hands on the collectibles. The Olympics megastore on the Champs-Élysées, saw thousands of shoppers queue every day to snap up one of the Phryge’s many iterations.
Next logical step for everyone’s favourite French red Smurf? A top spot in Matignon, apparently.
“Who would have thought that today, August 10, the French people’s favourite candidate for Prime Minister would be the Phryge of the Olympic Games?”
"To get everyone on the same side, we let Macron appoint Phryge as Prime Minister.”
“Phryge for PM?”
“Even a Phryge would be better than Xavier Bertrand (Been There Done That)” commented one user commented on the post: “At the rate things are going, I hope that the Phryge is not in Macron’s options for Matignon."
And why not?
The red bonnet was famously worn by Marianne and is the artistic personification of the free French republic. It is the emblematic accessory of the French revolutionaries, revived from Roman times, when freed slaves used to wear it. Revolutionaries adopted it as a testimony to their values of freedom and emancipation for both men and women.
“It's the symbol of liberty, and it's also a very strong message linked to the revolution that we want for those games. We want those games to be a big success,” said three-time Olympic champion canoeist and Paris 2024 president Tony Estanguet, when the mascot was first unveiled.
So, credentials seem to be in order. Need any more convincing?
ADVERTISEMENTWell, it seems that the Phryge is also very hands on when it comes to public security, as the mascot gave an assist to the police forces while they were on their public safety missions in the Montmartre gardens during the games...
The police even gave the beloved mascot its very own escort...
So, just to recap:
A beloved emblem that has united locals and tourists alike.
ADVERTISEMENTA symbol of French history that reignites French pride and provokes enthusiasm.
A good manner with law enforcement.
A mascot that has contributed to French economic growth with countless fans buying millions of Euros’ worth of branded merchandise – with the best sellers at the Olympic boutiques being the souvenirs emblazoned with its image and organizers expecting global sales to reach €2 billion.
A googly-eyed force of nature that seems to get on well with both Macron and the general public (see below), meaning the coalition could still have (very short and skinny) legs.
ADVERTISEMENTPrime Minister Phryge. Doesn’t seem so far-fetched now, does it?
