Meet Borut Pahor -- Slovenia's Instagram president

While Instagram is less common among world leaders, Pahor's use of the platform has garnered widespread attention


News Desk March 08, 2017
PHOTO: BORUT PAHOR INSTAGRAM

World leaders are actively using social media to get their point across. While many frequently use Twitter to speak their mind, no one can beat Slovenian President Borut Pahor who currently rules Instagram.

While Instagram is less common among world leaders, Pahor's use of the photo sharing platform has garnered widespread attention.

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The 53-year-old who has been president of Slovenia since 2012 started using Instagram prior to the the 2012 presidential election. With over 24,000 followers in the country of two million, Pahor posts pictures that make him come across as likeable and appeals to the masses.

In one picture he is seen repairing a road with construction workers. In another he poses topless and shows off his tattoo.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BI4vnAzh1Y_/?taken-by=borutpahor&hl=en

Pahor who used to model in his college days earned the nickname 'Barbie' for his good looks. In a candid picture where he is seen getting makeup applied to his face, the caption reads, "Barbie, and not a bad guy."

https://www.instagram.com/p/BP0F7YWhMou/?taken-by=borutpahor&hl=en

Pahoe has also posted pictures with significant personalities such as former US President Barack Obama, U2 frontman Bono and supermodel Naomi Campbell.

A photo of him leaning against a stairway in Egypt's presidential palace last year inspired the hashtag #Boruting where Slovenians copies his pose.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNr_nHEB3P3/

Speaking to the Associated Press, Pahor said, "Communications between people and politicians are changing all the time. Instagram is most used by young people. In a period of distrust of politics, this is a way to reach them."

He agrees, however, that real life contact cannot be replaced with reaching people on social media. He says, “Life contact with people is the most important.”

The president also acknowledged that he runs the risk of being labeled as a populist. "I accept that risk. But there is difference between negative and positive populism."

Pahor's Instagram activity has not caused him any harm. A recent survey shows that 52% of Slovenians hold him in positive regard and just 16% view him negatively.

Marko Rakar, a political consultant, called it “light populism”. "He’s trying to present himself as a likeable person doing a lot of stuff", said Rakar.

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Bohur's political ambitions also show amidst his social media activity. He offered to be a matchmaker between Russian president Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. He also recently visited Ukraine when hostilities between Russian backed rebels and government troops threatened to increase hostilities between the two countries.

Slovenia is in a very interesting political position right now. While the country is part of EU and supports sanctions on Kremlin for its role in Ukraine, it also maintains traditional ties with Russia. Slovenia and Bohur himself thus can play the role of mediator between the East and West.
This story originally appeared on POLITICO.

 

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