The City of Poitiers has recently decided to leave social network X, formerly known as Twitter, starting January 20, 2025. This announcement was made by the mayor of Poitiers, Léonore Moncond’huy, during her wishes to the press. This choice is part of a context of user migration to other platforms and reflects concerns regarding the current political direction of the social network.
Reasons for Poitiers’ departure
The social network X has become a place for sharing news and exchanges among users. However, since the acquisition by Elon Musk in 2022, the platform has evolved into a more politicized tool, aligned with certain contested views. The mayor of Poitiers emphasized that this evolution is “frontal opposition” to the values upheld by the city, which advocates for a healthy democracy, the fight against fake news, and online harassment.
The movement of users to other platforms
In recent months, a growing number of users have decided to leave X in favor of other social networks such as BlueSky and Mastodon. This general trend of migration shows a desire to find more secure communication spaces aligned with their personal values. This change illustrates not only a disappointment regarding the current direction of X but also a willingness to explore alternatives more compatible with an ethical and collaborative approach to communication.
The significance of the date January 20, 2025
The decision to leave the social network is also marked by a symbolic date: January 20, 2025, which coincides with Donald Trump’s inauguration as President of the United States. Léonore Moncond’huy expressed her concern about Elon Musk’s influence, which she describes as “close to the new American president.” According to her, Musk’s actions and positions reinforce dangerous trends related to the far right and the deregulation of social networks. This departure decision could be seen as an act of protest against these political evolutions.
Impact on the municipality’s communication
Concerning the communication of the City of Poitiers, the authorities do not consider the departure from the social network a major loss. Indeed, studies conducted by the municipality indicate that alternative platforms function on similar systems and that many users have already made the transition. Hervé Marchand, director of communication for the City, noted that this migration is widely supported by residents, thus highlighting the flexibility and adaptability of citizens in the face of technological changes.
The mayor’s personal accounts
In an effort to stay in contact with citizens, the mayor of Poitiers has already created accounts on BlueSky and Mastodon, supplementing her activity on X. She wishes to leave the choice to the Poitevins regarding the information platform they prefer to use. January 20 will mark not only a milestone for the municipality but also an opportunity for the mayor to redirect her communications towards digital horizons more aligned with the values she defends.
