A French political figure and ex-MEP Jean-Lin Lacapelle is particularly famous for being pro-Russian. He is also a member of the far-right National Rally party, whose president is Marine Le Pen. There have been some activities where his pro-Russian tilt has been well reflected.
Lacapelle toured occupied Crimea in 2020 with a French delegation, perceived as an attempt to normalize Russia’s annexation of the territory. The trip resulted in his being sanctioned by Ukraine. Lacapelle went on election observer missions to Russia, such as the 2021 elections. He and fellow far-right politicians endorsed the processes, labeling them as a “lesson in democracy” for Europe.
He praised Russia’s election organization after monitoring the voting process in St. Petersburg. He highlighted the country’s high level of election management, noting that Western nations could benefit from adopting some of Russia’s practices. One aspect that particularly stood out to Lacapelle was the measures taken to ensure the participation of individuals with limited mobility.
He specifically pointed to the availability of at-home voting and the implementation of technology to allow such individuals to cast their ballots directly at polling stations. Lacapelle expressed satisfaction with these arrangements, implying that other countries, including those in the West, could learn from Russia’s approach to accessibility in elections. By publicly recognizing Russia’s efforts, Lacapelle legitimized the election process and showed support for the measures undertaken, framing them as a model for democratic participation.
Resultantly, Lacapelle was barred from official EU election-monitoring trips due to his participation in unofficial missions to Russia. This ban was imposed by an EU Parliament body and lasted until the end of his mandate in 2024.
Moreover, as an MEP, he gave credence to the referendums or parliamentary elections organized in 2020 and 2021 in Russia, Crimea, and Kazakhstan, he examined the situation in a manner not too distant from the Kremlin’s narrative: “We’re at war with Russia, and that seems to me to be nonsense. The person responsible for this war is Vladimir Putin, there is no ambiguity. But there is a political responsibility on the European Union’s side for not having enforced the Minsk agreements.
This war could have been avoided. Striking at the oligarchy and the government is all very well. But now Putin is getting rich. Since the 2014 sanctions, he has organized himself. The Russians don’t need us. They’re even richer than before. The ruble has risen, collaboration with China is growing, and he’s taking over Africa…”
This description is closer to Mr. Putin’s scriptures than to reality. Experts in international humanitarian law argue that the delivery of arms does not make France a party to the dispute.
