France's foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, has accused Elon Musk of orchestrating "massive online harassment campaigns" against European leaders, as he addressed concerns over foreign efforts to destabilize France ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Context of the Accusation
Speaking at an Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development conference on Tuesday, Barrot highlighted the significant role social media plays in the global struggle for democracy. He stated, "The forces seeking to undermine democracy now dominate the information landscape, where they employ tactics designed to polarise public debate."
Barrot emphasized that these tactics have allowed political movements with authoritarian aims to gain traction in Europe and North America, stating, "They exacerbate the polarisation of our societies. Their ultimate goal is clear: to seize power and then create the conditions to never relinquish it."
Focus on the 2027 Presidential Election
With the 2027 presidential election approaching, Barrot pointed out that the far-right leader Marine Le Pen is currently the frontrunner in the polls. He remarked, "The enemies of democracy are doing everything they can to destabilise us. They exploit our divisions and use immigration, secularism, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to stoke hatred and tensions."
Barrot cited various examples of foreign influence, including an unnamed Israeli company accused of creating fake French social media accounts to sway opinions regarding the Israel-Gaza war, and allegations that Azerbaijan incited tensions during deadly riots in New Caledonia.
