A pro-Russian disinformation network targeted Edouard Philippe, a candidate in France’s 2027 presidential election, AFP reported on Friday, citing a security service source and confirming information from TF1.
This campaign, described as “low-profile”, was conducted by the Storm-1516 network, according to the same source. This organization was previously mentioned in a 2025 report by Viginum, a government agency focused on countering “foreign digital interference”. At that time, Viginum stated that its “main goal […] is primarily to discredit the Ukrainian government”.
Disinformation About the Candidate’s Health
This week, Edouard Philippe, a right-wing politician, former prime minister, and mayor of Le Havre, became the target of several social media posts spreading false information about his health. This operation, detected on Tuesday, is “part of a typical Russian information attack that does not gain widespread attention”, as it remains “low-profile” and disseminates “narratives that do not find a wide response, as they are easily debunked”, according to a security service source cited by AFP.
The Storm-1516 network is accused of involvement in numerous disinformation operations in France and other European countries. Viginum has attributed 205 such operations to it since August 2023.
Warning of Foreign Interference and a New Bill
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu warned on July 8 of a “very high” risk of foreign interference in France’s upcoming elections, including the presidential, as well as regional and departmental elections in 2028.
Similar incidents were recorded in 2026, when candidates from the “Unbowed France” party — François Piquemal (Toulouse), David Guiraud (Roubaix), and Sébastien Delogu (Marseille) — were targeted by an Israeli platform.
In this context, the government presented a bill on Wednesday, July 22, aimed at strengthening measures against foreign interference. The proposed legislation includes increased responsibility for disseminating false information during election campaigns.
Source: Libération
