(Reuters) France’s broadcast regulator said on Wednesday a far-right commentator known for incendiary remarks on Islam, immigration and French identity had signalled electoral ambitions and should be subject to limits on air time for political figures.
Eric Zemmour, a regular feature on billionaire Vincent Bollore’s CNews cable network and widely credited with lifting its viewer numbers, has not officially thrown his hat into the 2022 presidential election race.
However, he has said he wants to run, has quit his columnist job at Le Figaro newspaper, launched a website and will soon publish his latest book — a rite of passage for would-be candidates.
It is unusual for the CSA watchdog to pre-empt a candidate’s announcement.
