Mainstream Spanish politicians turn to WhatsApp to engage disenfranchised voters
Spain's politicial elite is turning to Facebook owned messaging service WhatsApp in an effort to see off the threat posed by radical insurgent groups such as Indignados and Podemos which have been using social media to appeal to disenfranchised voters.
Up until now they have been able to propagate their message unopposed but in a rear guard action to claw back support mainstream politicians are now joining the fray in earnest amidst fears that the country may follow Greece’s lead in electing an anti-establishment party to power.
One of those to accept the challenge is Gutiérrez Iglesias of the governing People’s Party who has begun disseminating his phone number to voters and is on call 24/7 to respond to Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Whatsapp messages.
Commenting on his experience thus far Iglesias said: “I was sure I would get a lot of prank calls. I’m sure that I’ll receive some at some point,” but admits receiving ‘a few critical messages’ and having his personal life ‘reduced to zero’.