France will not tolerate attempts to manipulate its democratic debate or interfere in the 2027 presidential election, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned on Friday.
His remarks followed a series of disinformation campaigns attributed to pro-Russian networks, which targeted three politicians who have either declared their candidacy or are considering entering the race.
Barrot vows firm response
“France will not tolerate any attempt at foreign interference in its democratic debate, particularly in its electoral processes,” Barrot wrote on X, eight months before the presidential election.
He was responding to Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the radical-left La France Insoumise, who accused the government of failing to act decisively. Mélenchon described the French presidential election as an “open bar for all the manipulators in the world”.
Politicians targeted by disinformation
Several destabilisation campaigns attributed to pro-Russian networks have emerged in recent days.
Édouard Philippe, leader of the centre-right Horizons party, was targeted by claims concerning his health. Raphaël Glucksmann, of the left-wing Place Publique party, was targeted through his partner, journalist Léa Salamé, who was accused of bribing media organisations to support his candidacy.
Gabriel Attal, leader of the centrist Renaissance party, was also targeted by claims that he may have Parkinson’s disease.
All three politicians have either declared their intention to stand in the election or indicated that they are considering doing so.
Musk comments draw criticism
Mélenchon also referred to a dispute between the leader of France’s Green party and Elon Musk, owner of the X platform.
Musk accused Green presidential candidate Marine Tondelier of “betrayal of France” after she supported banning X during the election campaign.
Barrot said a distinction should be made between election interference and a foreign political figure expressing support for, or opposition to, a political position in another country. Such comments do not in themselves amount to manipulation of public debate, he said.
Calls for tighter platform regulation
Barrot said authorities must take a firm stance against attempts to distort democratic debate through the coordinated and organised online promotion of fabricated messages originating abroad.
Such campaigns, he added, are designed to influence electoral outcomes.
The foreign minister said regulating major online platforms must form part of the response to foreign interference and organised disinformation.
Source: CNA
