French MEP Files Complaint Over Russian Disinformation Campaign

European Parliament member Raphaël Glucksmann announced he has filed a complaint after being targeted by a Russian disinformation campaign. Glucksmann, a likely candidate for the 2027 French presidential election, stated that the operation aimed to destabilize him. The campaign involved the dissemination of a "completely doctored" video that implicated his partner, journalist Léa Salamé. The video falsely accused Salamé of bribing media outlets to favor Glucksmann's candidacy. Glucksmann learned of the attack from France's General Secretariat for National Defence and Security (SGDSN), which identified the operation as originating from the pro-Russian group Storm-1516, allegedly directed by Russia's GRU military intelligence. "We cannot let Vladimir Putin's Russia manipulate the existential election for the French people that is the presidential election of 2027. There will be interference, it will be massive. We must prepare and fight against them," Glucksmann declared during a press conference. He is not the only political figure targeted; Gabriel Attal, another presidential candidate, also filed a complaint after being subjected to similar Russian-backed interference, including "deepfakes, fake video reports, and fake newspaper front pages." Édouard Philippe, also a candidate, has faced similar destabilization efforts, including false claims about his health.

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I have filed a complaint, and it is fundamental to say this simple thing: we cannot let Vladimir Putin's Russia manipulate the existential election for the French people that is the presidential election of 2027. There will be interference, it will be massive. We must prepare and fight against them.