Russia 'actively involved' in French election

[Independent voter]

Russia wants Le Pen to win, they hope France leaves the EU.

Assad flooded the EU with Syrian Sunni refugees at Putin's request to sway the British vote in favor of Brexit, France will be number two.




http://www.france24.com/en/20170330-...lligence-chief

The head of the powerful Senate Intelligence Committee warned Wednesday that Russia is interfering in the French election just as it did in the US presidential campaign last year.

Senator Richard Burr, who has access to some of the most highly classified US intelligence, said Moscow has shown a clear will and ability to disrupt elections in Western democracies.

"What we might assess was a very covert effort in 2016 in the United States, is a very overt effort, as well as covert, in Germany and France," he told reporters.

"I remind you that we're within 30 days of the first French election, with four candidates. It will go down to two candidates with a runoff in May," he said.

"I think it's safe by everybody's judgment that the Russians are actively involved in the French elections."

Burr is leading the Senate inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential campaign, an effort that US intelligence alleges was directed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

BURR: RUSSIA IN 'OVERT EFFORT' TO MEDDLE IN EUROPEAN ELECTIONS

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He said Russia was potentially a "balance disrupter" in the European elections, able to tilt the result toward the candidates it favors.

"So we feel part of our responsibility is to educate the rest of the world about what's going on, because it's now into character assassination of candidates."

The warning came days after French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen met Putin in a visit to Moscow as she tries to boost her international status by meeting with world leaders.

Last month her key rival, staunchly pro-Europe Emmanuel Macron, accused Russia of trying to derail his campaign by spreading false rumors through state media.

In Moscow Le Pen, leader of the National Front party, told AFP that she and Putin discussed ways to fight "fundamentalism" and said that the Russian strongman represented a "new vision" of the world.

"A new world has emerged in the past years. This is Vladimir Putin's world, Donald Trump's world in the United States, Mr (Narendra) Modi's world in India," she told reporters."

"I am probably the one who shares with all these great nations a vision, once again, of cooperation and not one of subservience, not the hawkish vision that has too often been expressed by the European Union."

Putin stressed during the meeting that the Kremlin does not meddle in France's politics.

"We by no means want to influence the current events but we reserve the right to communicate with all representatives of all political forces of the country," Putin said, according to a Kremlin-issued transcript.

[Cyberowl]

Just now? They are funding their campaign for months/years now.

[Deleted]

Pendulum swinging naturally back to the right? Nope... not possible, it must be those evil russian hackers. Yes, that's the only logical explanation.

/s

[GennGreymane]

Fake news!

[Acidbaron]

This has been going on for a long time and despite the bait you added there France won't be number two since france works differently politically.

[Kalis]

...France will be number two.

Bit rude, old chap.

[Acidbaron]

Pendulum swinging naturally back to the right? Nope... not possible, it must be those evil russian hackers. Yes, that's the only logical explanation.

/s

FN is not right but Far right. The current socialist party in power is regarded as too right currently.

[Arewn]

Dat Russian boogyman

[JohnBrown1917]

Pendulum swinging naturally back to the right? Nope... not possible, it must be those evil russian hackers. Yes, that's the only logical explanation.

/s

To the right?
Le pen is far right, France has plenty of other, proper, right wing candidates.



'Murica, the country where the far right is the 'standard' right, and the center-right is the far left.

[Eviscero]

Pendulum swinging naturally back to the right? Nope... not possible, it must be those evil russian hackers. Yes, that's the only logical explanation.

/s

Unlike you, intelligence agencies use EVIDENCE and not "logic" to support their conclusions.

[Elim Garak]

Unlike you, intelligence agencies use EVIDENCE and not "logic" to support their conclusions.

None of which have been presented. It's just "safe by everybody's judgment". A.k.a. "we want to believe".

[Darkeon]

This reply was hacked by a Russian hacker operative.

[Popastique]

Nowadays *evidence* is not needed - just blame Putin and get away with it. Ukraine, for example, does it on a daily basis ^__^

[Kujako]

Yeah, Russia been doing this for a decade or so.

[Puremallace]

Strongly doubt anyone knew the benefit of the Syrian war for Russia would have been massive Xenophobia in Europe and the effective dissolution of the EU. Now that Russia has seen the Xenophobia they have EASILY exploited it.

[JohnBrown1917]

Nowadays *evidence* is not needed - just blame Putin and get away with it. Ukraine, for example, does it on a daily basis ^__^

How's Russia this time of year?

[Popastique]

Snowy from what people say, but i live in Ukraine so ask someone else

[Puremallace]

Little surprised more EU people are not watching this senate intelligence committee right now because EU is coming up alot especially regarding France, Ukraine, and German elections.

[JohnBrown1917]

Snowy from what people say, but i live in Ukraine so ask someone else

So is it hard to be a Russian minority in Ukraine?

[Popastique]

It is easy to be *Russian* minority if you don't speak about your political preferences at work or in public. that's pretty much it. unless you want SBU knocking on your door