The Digester

French authorities say inauthentic websites and social accounts targeted two hard-left LFI mayoral candidates in Marseille and Toulouse, prompting a defamation probe and a VIGINUM investigation into possible foreign interference.

France security agency VIGINUM detected inauthentic websites and social media accounts with foreign technical markers targeting LFI candidates ahead of first-round voting.
The lawmakers targeted were Sebastien Delogu in Marseille and Francois Piquemal in Toulouse, AFP reported.
Marseille prosecutors opened a defamation probe after Delogu filed a complaint about a blog linked by QR-coded posters that is now inaccessible.
Le Monde reported the blog was connected to a network of fake X accounts that have promoted messaging from the pro-Israel lobby ELNET in France.
Both Delogu and Piquemal are outspoken critics of Israeli military operations in Gaza and say they have faced coordinated online harassment over their positions.
Investigations into the origin of the campaign are ongoing, after VIGINUM previously accused a Russian military intelligence-linked group of meddling in the Paris mayoral race.

France probes suspected foreign interference in Marseille and Toulouse mayoral races

Articles