Paris Prosecutors Open Probe Into Alleged Foreign Interference in French Local Elections

Paris prosecutors opened a probe on May 27 to examine whether an Israeli company interfered in French local elections. The investigation follows allegations by three La France Insoumise candidates that they faced disinformation campaigns during the March municipal elections.

The probe will review claims that the candidates were targeted with false accusations, social media manipulation, and fake campaign visuals. The three candidates said the campaigns were linked to their support for the Palestinian cause.

The agency stated the operation had a "marginal effect on the online public debate" and may have had a profit motive. Media reports by Libération and Haaretz identified a company called BlackCore, based in Tel Aviv, as potentially behind the campaign.

Prosecutors said they have not seen indications that the Israeli government was involved. The charges under investigation include "collusion with a foreign power," "diversion of voters' suffrage through false information or fraudulent maneuvers," and "online advocacy of terrorism" related to certain logos used.

The investigation has been entrusted to the National Cyber Unit. The three candidates named in the allegations are Sébastien Delogu in Marseille, François Piquemal in Toulouse, and David Guiraud in Roubaix.