France proposes tougher penalties for election disinformation

The French government unveiled a bill on 22 July 2026 that would increase penalties for spreading disinformation before and during elections.

The proposal comes before France holds a two-round presidential election next spring to replace President Emmanuel Macron. The source says the election is expected to be highly consequential and comes amid concerns about possible foreign interference.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said people involved in an "attack on the integrity of the vote" could face up to three years in prison and a 45,000-euro fine, or more than $51,000. He said the punishment could rise to six years if the acts were committed on behalf of a foreign power or organisation.

The source says online dissemination of false information is currently punishable by one year in prison and a 15,000-euro fine.

The bill would also extend to all elections an emergency measure that allows a judge to quickly stop the online spread of false information. The procedure has been in place since 2018 and currently applies only to presidential, parliamentary and European elections. The bill would extend it to local and Senate elections.