French Prosecutors Investigate Possible Russian Interference in Presidential Election
The Paris Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into possible Russian interference in France’s 2027 presidential election. The investigation currently concerns potential candidates Édouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal, UATV English reports. BFMTV reported that the investigation was opened by the prosecutor’s office’s unit for the protection of fundamental freedoms (AC2) before receiving…
On August 1, the Paris Prosecutor's Office initiated an investigation into potential Russian interference in France's 2027 presidential election. Initial focus lies on candidates Édouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal, as reported by UATV and BFMTV. The Paris Prosecutor's Office's unit for the protection of fundamental freedoms (AC2) opened the probe before receiving formal complaints from the politicians.
Previously, in August, the office also launched proceedings into alleged Russian interference targeting Raphaël Glucksmann, another potential candidate. According to reports, Russian-linked networks engaged in a series of "destabilization operations" this summer, aimed at the three candidates. False information regarding Philippe and Attal's health was spread online, while attacks also targeted Glucksmann and his partner.
A security source disclosed to BFMTV that the campaigns largely remained unnoticed but marked the first direct targeting of candidates since the campaign began. Gabriel Attal, who has declared his candidacy for the 2027 election, had earlier filed a complaint against deepfakes, attributing the campaign to "foreign interference originating from Russian networks."
France plans to hold the first round of the presidential election on April 18, 2027, with the second round scheduled for May 2.
Written by urgent.news from UATV English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
