Macron Announces Bill Against Foreign Interference Ahead of Presidential Election

French President Emmanuel Macron announced the introduction of a new bill aimed at protecting future elections from foreign interference. Speaking to hundreds of mayors at the Élysée Palace, Macron warned that manipulations have already impacted neighboring countries, specifically citing recent elections in Moldova, Romania, and Germany. The proposed legislation seeks to regulate speech on social networks, particularly targeting the purchase of political discourse during electoral periods. Macron emphasized the need to ban fake accounts, accusing Russia of massively purchasing millions of such accounts to disrupt democratic processes. He stated that the government would present regulatory measures to improve election protection and called for a coordinated European effort to make Europe the first territory where these fake accounts are banned. This announcement comes one year before the next French presidential election, highlighting the administration's focus on securing the democratic debate against external threats and digital manipulation.