France Warns Russia Against Interfering In Election

France said yesterday it would not accept interference by Russia or any other state in its presidential election, and would retaliate if necessary.

The pledge by Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault followed complaints by the party of election frontrunner Emmanuel Macron that his campaign was the target of 'fake news' put out by Russian media, as well as internet attacks on its databases.

"We will not accept any interference whatsoever in our electoral process, no more from Russia by the way than from any other state. This is a question of our democracy, our sovereignty, our national independence," Ayrault told parliament.

He said France would set clear limits, "including retaliatory measures when that is necessary, because no foreign state can influence the choice of the French, no foreign state can choose the future president of the Republic."