Paris: French prosecutors have opened an investigation into possible foreign interference targeting candidates from the left-wing party La France Insoumise (LFI), with media reports on Wednesday suggesting the alleged operation focused on politicians outspoken on Gaza and Palestinian issues. The Paris Prosecutor's Office stated that the inquiry was initiated "on its own initiative" to determine whether the campaigns of certain LFI candidates may have been subjected to an operation conducted "in the interest of a third state." Authorities confirmed that the investigation was launched without a prior complaint or official referral.

According to Anadolu Agency, LFI leader Jean-Luc Melenchon revealed on social media that three party figures were affected: Sebastien Delogu, Francois Piquemal, and David Guiraud. Media reports indicated that the investigation partially relies on findings from Viginum, the French service for vigilance and protection against foreign digital interference. This agency reportedly identified an "artificial or automated dissemination system" used to spread "inaccurate or misleading" content online.

Several outlets, including Mediapart, reported that the suspected operation involved coordinated disinformation campaigns utilizing fabricated content and automated social media accounts targeting LFI candidates who had publicly expressed positions related to Gaza and Palestine. Last week, French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced that judicial action had already been initiated over suspicions of foreign digital interference targeting LFI candidates.