Gabriel Attal, former French prime minister and candidate for the 2027 presidential election, has filed a legal complaint over alleged Russian foreign interference. The complaint, filed in Paris on Friday evening, August 7, was announced by his lawyers Sacha Ghozlan and Lucas Veil, and cites acts that could undermine national interests and election integrity. It follows two disinformation operations attributed to Russian networks, which used deepfakes, fake video reports, and fabricated newspaper front pages to discredit him. Attal was alerted by France's SGDSN and Viginum unit to the operations, one on Wednesday and another on Thursday. The material included content designed to make it appear Attal himself orchestrated the disinformation. Attal warned that the election could be rigged if no action is taken. Similar operations have targeted other candidates, including Édouard Philippe and Raphaël Glucksmann, with a judicial investigation opened regarding Glucksmann. French authorities have launched investigations.

Background: France experienced its hottest July on record, with severe drought and wildfires burning 120,000 hectares, leading to 402 arrests. Today: French authorities have arrested 420 people, including 166 minors, in connection with wildfires that have scorched over 300,000 acres this summer, the worst since World War Two. Most fires are accidental, but arson and negligence cases are being prosecuted, with some sentences criticized as excessive. Notable cases include a 23-year-old man facing 15 years in prison for allegedly starting 10 fires in the Var area, a man receiving a three-year sentence for starting three fires in the Vosges region, and a homeless man and someone with severe autism reportedly jailed for throwing cigarette butts. Climate change is a major driver, and the government faces accusations of being underprepared.

Background: French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin had ordered prosecutors to review 70,000 pending child sexual abuse complaints by July 14, following the Lyhanna case. Today: A letter from Darmanin to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, dated July 29 and revealed by Le Monde on August 8, documents systemic failures in handling such cases, including 'phantom' procedures, lost files, and staffing shortages, with examples from Nîmes (1,275 unregistered cases), Caen (905), and Bourges (lost procedures). Darmanin expressed regret over the premature leak of the working document.

France's agriculture ministry forecast the country's corn harvest to fall 35% year-on-year to nine million tons, the lowest level since 1980, due to heatwaves, drought, and reduced cultivation areas. Yields are estimated to drop 19% to 70.3 quintals per hectare. The ministry also cited rising fertilizer costs linked to the Middle East war and lower corn prices as factors.

A year after the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) came into force, France and most EU member states have failed to transpose it into national law, leaving them in a situation of illegality. The regulation aims to safeguard the independence of public audiovisual media, curb media concentration, and protect journalistic sources by banning spyware on journalists. French officials and press freedom groups warn that the delay is particularly concerning ahead of major elections in 2027.

Ahead of the 2027 French presidential election, political parties are proposing measures to counter foreign interference, particularly disinformation campaigns targeting candidates. The government has submitted a draft law in late July to strengthen the judicial arsenal, which will be examined by Parliament after the summer recess.

On August 6, the French Ministry of Defense, through its fleet support service (DCSSF), issued a tender for the operational maintenance (MCO) of boats used by the Air and Space Force (AAE) special forces and the Army. The contract covers vessels such as the Saros-8 and Kourning used for search and rescue missions, and Army riverine craft, with maintenance to be performed at bases in Cazaux, Solenzara, and Djibouti. This move ensures the readiness of specialized naval assets supporting special operations and CSAR missions.