Former Prime Minister Attal, who has been announced as a candidate in France’s 2027 presidential election, alleged that Russia was interfering in the country’s elections. Attal is described as the candidate of French President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party.
Claiming that the Kremlin was continuing interference operations against candidates like him, Attal also alleged that Russia was supporting Marine Le Pen, the presidential candidate of the far-right National Rally party. Attal accused Moscow of stealing the French people’s democratic choices.
"I think the Kremlin regime is continuing its interference operations against candidates like me while also supporting Marine Le Pen."
Attal also alleged that similar foreign interference occurred during the 2024 European Parliament elections.
Paris takes steps against disinformation
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said that protecting democracy and combating foreign interference were among the government’s priorities.
Lecornu said that disinformation-based interference attempts targeting candidates during election periods had been identified, and announced that the people concerned were immediately informed.
Lecornu recalled that a bill had been put forward to triple the penalties for those who produce false news and content during election periods. The prime minister said that different political groups should conduct a joint campaign against foreign interference.
Macron will not be able to run again in 2027
Macron will not be able to run again in France’s presidential election planned for 2027 after serving two consecutive terms.
BlackCore also faces election interference allegations
Amid debate over foreign interference in French elections, allegations have also emerged concerning the Israel-linked company BlackCore.
BlackCore was alleged to have targeted mayoral candidates from the France Unbowed party, which made support for the Palestinian people a central element of its election campaign, and to have tried to influence the elections by spreading disinformation.
The French government launched legal proceedings against the company in March on suspicion that it had interfered in local elections held that month.
