French presidential candidates are using Snapchat to try and win over young voters

The first round of the French presidential election is nearly upon us and the most popular candidates have all adopted Snapchat as part of their communication strategy.

They used the social media platform for a Q&A to reach out to the youngest part of the voting population. This Q&A included both funny and serious questions, such as "What's your favourite Snapchat filter?" and "What will you do for us students if you are elected?"

Marine Le Pen, the far-right Front National candidate, chose the dog filter, but wishes there was a better cat filter. She even went on by singing a track by Dalida, who she says is one of her favourite musicians.

When asked about her meeting with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, she showed a gift she received from an artist, a painting with US President Donald Trump, Putin and herself, entitled "A vision of the new world".

In a more relaxed manner, a young girl laying in bed asked: "Could we be paid for staying in bed?"

Le Pen answered, lying down on the couch, laughing: "I'm sorry, I don't think it will be possible."

Benoît Hamon, of the Socialist Party appeared with a flower crown, highlighting his alliance with the ecologists by stating "Flower Power", and confirming he will legalise cannabis as soon as 2018 if he is elected.

He also firmly defended his biggest proposal, the universal basic income, while mentioning that he wanted to become a professional football player when he was little.

François Fillon, the Republican candidate, chose the funky glasses filter and said that his childhood dream was to become an ambassador or an engineer, but failed at both.

He was also asked to lower the price of doner kebabs and if he could do anything to have Karim Benzema back in the national football team.

Emmanuel Macron of the En Marche! party chose the funny distorting filter and even tried out the "Bottle Flip Challenge", a popular challenge on social media.

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the Unsubmissive France candidate who has recently been doing surprisingly well in the polls, hasn't done a Q&A yet — but he may do one soon.