French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has announced that France is taking proactive steps to safeguard its 2027 elections, including both the presidential and legislative contests, from foreign interference. He emphasized that the country is developing new legal measures to strengthen its defenses against such threats. While France has made significant progress in protecting its democratic processes, Barrot acknowledged that the evolving nature of cyber threats requires ongoing improvements to remain effective. He also referenced the Paris 2024 Olympics, which faced numerous cyberattacks from various sources, including Russia, and praised France's ability to successfully counter these threats due to its preparedness. Barrot highlighted the role of Viginum, a specialized service created in 2021 at the request of the French president. Viginum is designed to detect and counter foreign efforts aimed at disrupting public debate or electoral processes. The system was successfully used during the 2026 municipal elections to protect the integrity of the vote. A new legal framework is now being prepared to further secure the 2027 elections. While Barrot acknowledged that not all attacks can be entirely prevented, he noted that France is better prepared than many other countries to respond to such threats. In discussing cyberattacks, Barrot made a distinction between high-level attacks, which are typically launched by foreign states with substantial resources, and other types of incidents. He pointed out that France has developed notable expertise in this area, particularly through the National Agency for the Security of Information Systems (Anssi), which is responsible for protecting critical information infrastructure. Barrot also mentioned receiving a communication related to an incident involving the General Directorate of Public Finances (DGFiP), but clarified that this was not a cyberattack aimed at destabilizing France, unlike those previously seen from Russia. The minister's statements reflect a broader strategy to enhance France’s resilience against both foreign interference and cyber threats. By combining legal reforms, specialized services, and national security expertise, France aims to maintain the integrity of its democratic processes and critical systems in an increasingly complex global environment.