France calls out fake drug consumer video as a coordinated disinformation

The French presidency reacted to a so -called coordinated disinformation campaign, in which a viral video included the claims triggered that President Emmanuel Macron hid a cocaine bag on the way by train to Ukraine.

“When European unity becomes impractical, the disinformation goes so far to make a simple fabric like drugs look like,” said Elysee on Sunday to X and denounced the allegations.

The article referred to a short clip that was published on social media together with the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the British Minister of the British Minister Keir Starrer in the cabin of a train on one night from Poland to Ukraine.

The internet users speculated that Macron hid a bag of white powder with his hand when cameras entered the cabin, and claimed that Merz seemed to have a cocaine spoon.

French officials made it clear that the subject of Macron was completely harmless than nothing else was identified than a tissue rolled into a ball, and said the video was deliberately shown incorrectly to sow the public distrust.

French media also pushed back and said that Merz had a simple drink stirrer.

“These fake messages are spread by French enemies abroad and at home,” added Elysee. “We have to stay vigilant against manipulation.”

disinformation

The incident takes place under growing concern in France and all over Europe via the increasing prevalence of disinformation campaigns from a foreign state.

A current report by the External Action Service of the European Union (EAE) warned of “state and non -state actors who spread false stories in order to destabilize democratic societies”, with France being repeatedly identified as the main goal.

The French government was also based on the latest cyber attacks and influences that were attributed to enemy foreign actors.

In April 2023, Macron introduced a national strategy to combat information manipulations and called it “a struggle for our democracy”.

The initiative included the cooperation with Tech platforms, the support of independent journalism and legal instruments in order to counteract the influence of the painting influence.