The French channel BFMTV announced the cancellation of an interview in which it was scheduled to host Eric Zemmour, head of the far-right “Recovery” party, on Saturday evening, after he described the Maghreb and Africans as “barbarians.”
The cancellation of the interview coincided with the launch of a petition demanding that Zemmour not be hosted, with the support of French MP Benjamin Lucas, against the backdrop of his positions, which his critics described as racist, and accusing him of adopting hate speech.
The BFMTV Journalists Association confirmed, in a brief message published on the “X” platform, that Zemmour was on the channel’s list of guests to conduct the interview, but that he would not appear on screen in the end, without providing explanations regarding the reasons for the cancellation.
🇫🇷📺 FLASH – Éric Zemmour, initially invited to BFMTV on the same day, will not be finalized in L’ANTENNE. The syndication of journalists from the chat annunce l’ANNULATION of the son’s passage, without préciser les raisons. (SDJ BFMTV) https://t.co/mr7GYboJ9N
— Focus (@FocusMedia_Fr) October 24, 2026
Earlier, French MP Antoine Le Mans referred Eric Zemmour’s statements to the Public Prosecution, considering that they exceed the limits of political debate and raise concerns about incitement to hostility towards population groups because of their origins.
Loman said on his account on the
Dear Eric Zemmour, who is a civil servant at LCI.
It’s important to note that people like this one.
Son but: declencher of racist violence that also happens to be at Royaume-Uni.
No violence, this is worse.
– Antoine Léaument 🇫🇷 (@ALeaument) October 18, 2026
The move came after statements made by Zammour during his hosting of a program on the “LCI” channel, in which he spoke about the acts of violence that France witnessed, using the phrase “a crowd of Maghreb and African barbarians.” He also pointed to the appearance of Palestinian, Algerian, and Moroccan flags during some gatherings.
❗️ ( 🇫🇷 FRANCE )
🔸 Éric Zemmour, directly at LCI, stated that “this is what we have on our hands, this is the veritable face of the major replacement”, he said “a large number of barbarians and Africans that are online in the villes”. pic.twitter.com/08j2gfP3Om
— Little Think Tank (@L_ThinkTank) October 18, 2026
The French MP considered that these statements required judicial consideration, especially in light of the criticism they raised regarding linking criminal behavior to ethnic or national origins, instead of distinguishing between the individual responsibility of people and their affiliations.
Zemmour’s speech was not limited to describing the participants in the protests with the most despicable qualities, but rather linked the events to the so-called “Great Replacement” theory, which is promoted by groups from the extreme right, and is based on the claim that the European population is being replaced by immigration and demographic changes.
The use of this theory to explain the riots has raised criticism, due to what its opponents see as fueling fears of immigrants and prompting the treatment of broad population groups as a threat to national identity.
During the same television debate, the program presenter, Darius Roshpin, objected to Zammour’s proposal, pointing out that the theory is subject to widespread controversy, and the issue of the diversity of people participating in acts of sabotage and looting was also raised, which does not allow generalizing responsibility to a specific group.
In a related context, Zemmour, in a post on the “X” platform, called for strictness in dealing with the riots that accompanied the October 17 protests, calling for “repression, quick prosecution, and severe punishment,” according to the statement quoted from him.
There’s nothing more at home. It is recommended to replace the order. Réprimer, fresher and fresher fort.
France is not a part of a group of people, nor is there an alliance between the outside world and a country that owns magazines, advances policies and is brilliant… pic.twitter.com/HWS5zncQBp
— Eric Zemmour (@ZemmourEric) October 17, 2026
He also sparked controversy during a television confrontation with a journalist from the “CNEWS” channel, when he responded to her saying that the participants in the riots were French like him and her, by saying: “No, they are not like you and me! I am only French. I am not Algerian, Moroccan, or Tunisian either. I do not hate France, and I do not engage in looting.”
#Journalist The French channel “CNEWS” asks the politician “Éric Zemmour” (of Algerian origins): “They are French like you and me.”🤔#And Zamor He responded firmly: “No, they are not like you and me! I am only French. I am not Algerian, Moroccan, or Tunisian either. I do not hate France, and I do not engage in looting.” pic.twitter.com/jpnKPJVopn
– Assil Guerdoud (@assilguerdoud) October 21, 2026
The controversy extended to the High Authority for Audiovisual and Digital Communication, “Arcom,” after the “Puremédias” platform reported that the authority had received referrals regarding Zemmour’s statements during the television program, especially his use of the “Great Replacement” theory and his linking incidents of violence to Maghreb and African people.
Since October 17, France has witnessed widespread protests against the high cost of living, including acts of violence, looting, and vandalism in a number of regions, according to what French media reported.
