When a precarious position of power is perceived as a glass cliff: Reactions to Elisabeth Borne's appointment as Prime minister

Abstract

Objectives

The glass cliff is characterized by a higher tendency for women than men to be appointed to precarious positions of power. Little research has focused on what may lead people to qualify female appointments as instances of the glass cliff. We analyzed Élisabeth Borne's appointment as Prime Minister, investigating how ideological attitudes and perceived reasons for her selection influenced the interpretation of her placement.

Methods

In June 2022, following President Macron's re-election and his selection of Élisabeth Borne as Prime Minister, we gathered observational data (n = 479) in France using an online questionnaire.

Results

According to regression analyses, participants who were more inclined to interpret Borne's appointment as a glass cliff situation scored lower on modern sexism, tended to believe she had been chosen to signal change, and thought she had been selected for her agentic leadership. This interpretation was further supported by those who believed that the president selected her for reasons other than her political leadership competence, such as her loyalty to him, but only among those who scored low on modern sexism.

Conclusion

Élisabeth Borne was appointed Prime Minister during precarious times, and her tenure lasted one year and eight months. The interpretations of her appointment highlight the influence of pre-existing attitudes and perceived motives on interpreting phenomena related to gender inequalities.