How Russia is impersonating French news outlets in a bid to influence France’s next presidential election
Russian disinformation networks have launched an active campaign to interfere in France’s presidential election, which is set for April 2027. Over the past two weeks, at least three cases have come to light in which these networks spread fake news about possible candidates on social media, including by posing as popular French outlets. The attacks target politicians who have previously criticized…
France is facing a wave of disinformation as it prepares for its presidential election in April 2027. Russian networks are actively spreading fake news on social media, posing as popular French outlets to target politicians who have criticized Russia or supported Ukraine. The most recent victims include former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe and presidential candidates Raphaël Glucksmann and Gabriel Attal.
Philippe's campaign has been targeted with false claims about his health, while Glucksmann's partner was falsely accused of bribery, and Attal's social media accounts were flooded with fabricated statements about his personal life, including drug addiction and Parkinson's disease. These attacks aim to undermine the credibility of potential candidates and influence the outcome of the election.
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