According to local media reports, the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office has announced that it is investigating suspected foreign interference in next year’s presidential election.
The prosecutor’s office said the investigation concerns disinformation and smear campaigns targeting presidential candidates Édouard Philippe of the centrist-right Horizons party and Gabriel Attal of Renaissance in recent weeks. Authorities are also examining possible Russian involvement.
Former Prime Minister and presidential candidate Gabriel Attal accused Russia of interfering in France’s electoral process in a statement earlier this month. Attal also alleged that Russia was supporting Marine Le Pen, the candidate of the far-right National Rally (RN) party.
In France, President Emmanuel Macron, who has served two consecutive terms, will not be eligible to seek re-election next year.
