A video lasting just a few seconds was enough to raise a political storm in Campania, mixing the ephemeral world of social media with the political logic of the election campaign.
The protagonist is Rita De Crescenzo, a controversial Neapolitan TikToker with over 1,4 million followers, who posted an explicit endorsement for Forza Italia ahead of the upcoming regional elections. "Forza Italia are serious people, with many years of experience in politics. Have you ever seen one of Mr. Silvio Berlusconi's companies go bankrupt? I sided with these gentlemen," she states in the video, urging her followers to prepare their ballots and even offering to accompany them to vote.
The call to vote didn't go unnoticed and immediately sparked controversy. The first to react was Francesco Emilio Borrelli, MP for the Alliance of the Greens and the Left, who described "the worst possible mix between TikTokers from the Naples area and certain political figures," demanding immediate explanations from Forza Italia leaders.
The party's response, however, raised more doubts than certainties. The regional coordinator of the Blue Party, Fulvio Martusciello, clearly distanced himself: "I don't know who she is, and frankly, I don't care what she says. I've never seen her in my life."
This defense, however, clashes with a significant detail: Forza Italia's list includes Pasquale De Fenza, an outgoing regional councilor (elected with Azione, then expelled) and the protagonist, some time ago, of another viral video filmed with De Crescenzo and another well-known TikTok user, Angelo Napolitano.
Is it possible that Forza Italia's regional coordinator doesn't know anything about this? On social media and elsewhere, many have been wondering since yesterday who and what is behind De Crescenzo's not-so-unexpected "political" outburst.
This coincidence, described as "anomalous" by many, has fueled suspicions that the endorsement is anything but spontaneous. "We tell Fulvio Martusciello that, seriously, we need to address the merits. The time has come to clarify," attacked Michele Tarantino, regional secretary of the Italian Socialist Party, emphasizing the inconsistency of his statement. Martusciello's reply, adding, "I think we're still in a Republic" where everyone is free to express their preferences, was interpreted by many not as a denial, but almost as a veiled admission of his approval of the move.
Complicating matters further, other videos appeared from the TikToker's son, Rosario, promising followers precise instructions on who to vote for "for the good of Naples," suggesting a well-orchestrated communication strategy.
On social networks, controversy erupted with accusations of a new form of vote-trading, where the currency is not money but visibility and influence over a large and potentially decisive electorate.
The De Crescenzo-Forza Italia affair marks a turning point, or perhaps a point of no return, in the relationship between politics and social media. While the parties' attempts to tap into the support of segments of the population otherwise distant from the polls are evident, the fragility of these alliances is also evident.
Martusciello's embarrassment is emblematic of the dilemma facing politics today: coveting influencers' numbers while being ashamed of their methods and image. The Campania episode is no longer just a flash of color, but a serious reflection on the deterioration of public debate and the increasingly less silent deals being forged in the digital arena for a handful of votes.
Comments (1)
I don't understand how a TikTok user can influence politics like this. Isn't that a little strange? I think they should be more careful about who sides with them and what message they're sending to young people.