French Mayor Bernard Bazinet Suspended for Antisemitic Remarks on Eurovision

Bernard Bazinet, the mayor of Augignac in Dordogne, has been suspended from his duties for one month following antisemitic comments he made in early December. The suspension, ordered by the Minister of the Interior Laurent Nuñez and published on December 31, 2025, comes after Bazinet’s Facebook post criticizing France’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. He stated, “Yes to the boycott! France is too ‘youpin’ to boycott!” — a term with antisemitic undertones.

Bazinet’s remarks immediately sparked controversy and drew condemnation from political circles. The Socialist Party (PS), to which Bazinet belonged, soon expelled him, asserting that his comments were unacceptable and emphasizing a zero-tolerance stance against antisemitism. Bazinet later expressed regret, claiming his comment was made in anger and acknowledging he did not realize the term had antisemitic connotations. He attempted to retract the statement, but it had already been widely disseminated, including coverage on the news channel CNews.

Minister Laurent Nuñez publicly condemned Bazinet, stating that the mayor lacked the moral authority to remain in office. The Socialist Party echoed this sentiment, labeling antisemitism as “a despicable evil with no room for tolerance or justification.”

Bazinet’s comments were originally posted in response to a Libération article on Israel’s participation in Eurovision. His remark suggested that France lacked the resolve to boycott the contest, but the usage of an offensive term overshadowed the political message, leading to significant backlash and disciplinary measures.

This incident highlights the ongoing sensitivity around antisemitism in French politics and society, underscoring the consequences public figures face when making inflammatory statements. Bazinet’s suspension marks a clear governmental and party-level rejection of such rhetoric.