Ten million. That’s how many French internet users use TikTok every day. Among them, 40% are between the ages of 18 and 24. For political strategists, this group represents young voters — a crucial demographic to engage from their very first vote. Making a strong entrance on the main social network of the new generation is therefore a strategic move. So, who’s doing it best? In an exclusive study, Décideurs Magazine and JIN provide a snapshot of how Members of Parliament (MPs) are using TikTok. The data covers the period from April 2024 to April 2025.
Just a young people thing?
Members of the National Assembly are well aware of the importance of this sometimes controversial communication tool. In fact, 59% are present on the platform and the younger the MP, the more likely they are to be active TikTok users. For instance, 86.3% of MPs under 35 are active on TikTok, compared to 76.4% of those aged 35–44, 53.6% of those aged 45–59, and just 38.4% of those over 60.
A tool favored by populists
Décideurs Magazine had already shown how X (formerly Twitter) is heavily used by populist parties. TikTok is used in a similar — albeit less intense — way. The two political groups most present on the platform are La France Insoumise (LFI), with 88.7% of its MPs having an account, and Rassemblement National (RN), at 69%.
More moderate groups — typically made up of older local elected officials than the ranks of Jean-Luc Mélenchon (LFI) and Marine Le Pen (RN) use TikTok far less. For example, only 30% of LIOT MPs, 41.7% of MoDem, 45% of the Republican Right, 47% of the EPR group, and 51% of Horizons MPs have an account.
For LFI and RN, TikTok is a powerful tool for appealing to young people. And it works at the ballot box: in the first round of the 2022 presidential election, Jean-Luc Mélenchon won 31% of the vote among those under 25, and Marine Le Pen won 26%. Together, the two populist candidates captured nearly 6 out of 10 young voters.
Who are the most active Members of Parliament?
In the top 10 most active MPs on TikTok, LFI holds 8 of the 10 spots. Some are also active on other social media platforms, notably Antoine Léaument the movement’s « digital guy, » Louis Boyard, and to a lesser extent, Alma Dufour, Carlos Martens Bilongo, and François Piquemal. Pierre-Yves Cadalen is more of a TikTok specialist, as are his colleague Maxime Laisney and RN member Aurélien Dutremble — all of whom have limited influence on X, Instagram, or in traditional media. Éric Ciotti, a symbol of the old political guard, still manages to make it into the top 10.
Who are the most followed MPs?
Once again, LFI stands out in the ranking of the most followed MPs on TikTok, occupying 6 out of the top 10 spots. Mathilde Panot and Louis Boyard take second and third place respectively, both with over a million followers. They’re narrowly edged out by Marine Le Pen, who benefits from greater mainstream recognition. Other high-ranking LFI members include Antoine Léaument, David Guiraud, Sébastien Delogu, and Manuel Bompard.
Jean-Philippe Tanguy, a young RN MP from the Somme, has also embraced TikTok, regularly posting punchy soundbites that resonate with younger audiences. Gabriel Attal and François Hollande also appear in this top list, likely boosted by their national stature, which enhances both their notoriety and their follower count.
And outside the National Assembly?
The TikTok phenomenon isn’t limited to the National Assembly. Other political figures have also established a strong presence on the platform. Given his status, Emmanuel Macron is clearly leading the way, boasting 6 million followers. The Élysée’s communications team has gone all in, publishing 108 posts over the course of a year. If Emmanuel Macron were an MP, he would rank as the 11th most active user.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, like American politician Bernie Sanders, follows the strategy of “the old man speaking to the youth.” In addition to visiting universities and mentoring the next generation through his La Boétie Institute, he also shows up on TikTok, where he has 2.6 million followers despite posting only 40 videos over 12 months.
Finally, it’s impossible to talk about TikTok without mentioning Jordan Bardella. The potential successor to Marine Le Pen is either mocked or envied for his influence on the platform. Communications genius? Or proof of superficiality? Journalists, politicians, and citizens are divided. The Member of the European Parliament has 2.1 million followers, a million more than Marine Le Pen. With 184 posts in one year, he is France’s most TikTok-addicted political figure.
Jordan Bardella has turned TikTok into a tool for his political ambitions.
One striking indicator of his influence: he has received more likes than Emmanuel Macron. His TikTok popularity mirrors his electoral performance among young voters. As lead candidate in the 2024 European elections, he secured 32% of the under-25 vote!
It’s worth noting that some major political figures are absent from TikTok. That’s the case for Michel Barnier, his successor François Bayrou, as well as Manuel Valls and Nicolas Sarkozy. Known for her sharp wit and soundbites, Rachida Dati has yet to seriously engage with the platform, where she only has 50,000 followers. Bruno Retailleau, who dreams of a national future and broader support base, is only just starting to experiment with TikTok — and currently has just 30,500 followers.
Find out the original study here.
Lucas Jakubowicz
