Barrot attacks foreign interference

France's foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot spoke at an OECD conference on Tuesday, warning that foreign forces are trying to destabilise the country before the 2027 presidential election.

Musk singled out for harassment

Barrot accused Elon Musk, the world's richest man and owner of X, of launching massive online harassment campaigns against European leaders to influence debates using his platform's reach.

“There are massive online harassment campaigns launched by Elon Musk against European leaders in order to influence debates by exploiting the virality of his social media platform.”

Democracy under attack, Barrot warns

Barrot said forces seeking to undermine democracy dominate the information landscape and employ tactics to polarise public debate. Political movements with authoritarian aims are gaining ground in Europe and North America.

“The forces seeking to undermine democracy now dominate the information landscape, where they employ tactics designed to polarise public debate.”

Le Pen leads as election looms

Barrot cited the 2027 French presidential election, where far-right leader Marine Le Pen is the frontrunner in the polls. He said enemies of democracy are doing everything they can to destabilise France.

Multiple foreign actors named

Barrot listed other examples of foreign interference, including an unnamed Israeli company accused of creating fake French social media accounts and Azerbaijan stirring up tensions during riots in New Caledonia.

School protests exploited online

Recent school protests in France were exploited by hostile narratives from Russia, China, Iran and those associated with the Maga movement in the US.

France vows to counter interference

Barrot said his government would work to respond to foreign interference, stating France does not tolerate any foreign interference from wherever it may come as a matter of sovereignty.

“We do not tolerate any foreign interference, from wherever it may come. It is a matter of sovereignty.”