As France’s 2027 presidential election approaches, former Prime Minister Attal, the candidate of President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party, accused the Kremlin of interfering in the electoral process.
Attal alleged that Russia was continuing its operations against candidates like him and claimed that Moscow was supporting Marine Le Pen, the presidential candidate of the far-right National Rally party. He argued that these interventions were aimed at depriving the French people of their democratic choice.
"I believe the Kremlin regime is continuing its interference operations against candidates like me while also supporting Marine Le Pen."
Attal also claimed that similar foreign interference had occurred during the 2024 European Parliament elections.
Lecornu calls for united action against foreign interference
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu identified protecting democracy and combating foreign interference as among the government’s priorities.
Lecornu said that disinformation-based efforts targeting candidates during election periods had been detected and that the relevant individuals had been informed immediately.
Lecornu recalled that a bill had been introduced to triple the penalties for those who produce false news and content during election periods. The prime minister said different political groups needed to act together against foreign interference.
Macron cannot run in the 2027 election
Macron, who has served two consecutive terms as president, will not be able to run again in France’s presidential election scheduled for 2027.
Legal proceedings also launched against BlackCore
The Israel-linked company BlackCore has also become part of the debate over foreign interference in France’s elections.
BlackCore was accused of trying to influence elections by spreading disinformation against mayoral candidates affiliated with the France Unbowed party, which made support for the Palestinian people a central element of its election campaign.
The French government launched legal proceedings against BlackCore in March after suspecting that the company had interfered in the local elections held that month.
