Should we judge politicians by their phone cases?

During the COP28, Giorgia Meloni was photographed taking a selfie with the Indian Prime Minister. The photo was widely shared and commented on, especially because of the Italian Prime Minister's smartphone case. The case was so distinctive that it did not go unnoticed, drawing the attention of many users. It was a transparent transparent case with the inscription «Affirmations for anxiety» surrounded by scattered brief suggestions to combat this condition. «Today I choose you,» «celebrate the victories of every day,» «I am a beautiful person,» and «I will smile, breathe, and go slowly» are just a few of the phrases that could be glimpsed from the photo. These phrases fall under the so-called positive self-talk, a practice that involves trying to dispel negative thoughts and counter anxiety. Of course, this event generated a lot of curiosity, but it's not the first time Meloni's sophisticated phone cases have captured attention. In the past, Meloni chose phone covers based on the portrayed animal and the color of her outfit.

The phone case as a tool for political communication

Meloni is not the only Italian politician who has made headlines with phone cases. Recently, a photo of Marta Fascina gained a lot of attention and comments. In the photo, the cover of her smartphone features the face of Berlusconi – her deceased partner from a few months ago. The deputy displayed the accessory on the same day she returned to Parliament after an absence of several months due to the death of the former leader of Forza Italia. Similarly, the current Minister of Transport, Matteo Renzi, now heading Italy Viva, showed a protective cover with the inscription «Keep calm and rottama» during the Democratic Party primaries in 2018 – a theme, the "rottamazione" of the political class, which was one of his slogans for a long time. These accessories have taken on a new and fascinating role in the contemporary political communication landscape. Although seemingly insignificant, they have become vehicles of expression, allowing politicians to convey their positions.

Politics according to mobile phone cases

In some cases, smartphone cases have been a source of embarrassment for politicians, forcing them to somehow justify their choices. A few years ago, for example, Ignazio La Russa, while a guest on the Porta a Porta show, inadvertently pointed out that his phone cover bore the inscription «100% MILF». The current President of the Senate later explained that the case was a gift from his son to his mother, La Russa's wife, who refused to use it, so he took it for his mobile device. A similar thing happened to Salvini when he showed a rather eccentric case with the inscription «Sta sü de doss», which in Milanese dialect means «don't bother me.» The League's leader also justified it by saying it was a gift from his son. On other occasions, Salvini has been photographed with a cover depicting a bulldozer, the symbol the party used years ago to call for the removal of Roma camps in Italy – a choice that sparked much discussion. For the political class, despite some slip-ups, these accessories remain a way to express opinions on social issues, without «shouting them out loud.» Their effectiveness lies in the fact that smartphones are now ubiquitous and often appear in photos taken of political representatives; thus, cases become additional tools for spreading ideas and opinions, as well as attracting attention. Perhaps a complete redesign is needed from NewMartina?