Nathalie Saint-Cricq Suspended After 'Alias Benito' Comment on Éric Ciotti During Municipal Elections

Nathalie Saint-Cricq, a journalist for France Télévisions, was suspended from on-air duties for one week following a controversial remark made during the first round of the 2026 municipal elections coverage on Franceinfo. Just before Éric Ciotti, a candidate for the mayoralty of Nice from the Union des Droites pour la République (UDR) allied with Rassemblement National (RN), was set to speak, Saint-Cricq interjected with the phrase "Alias Benito," likening him to Benito Mussolini.

The incident occurred shortly before 11 PM during a high-viewership broadcast that attracted 19.3 million viewers. Saint-Cricq immediately apologized on air, describing her comment as "inappropriate and misplaced" and attributed it to a lack of discernment. Franceinfo also issued a public apology to Ciotti for the remark.

Delphine Ernotte, president of France Télévisions, expressed particular displeasure over the incident, leading Philippe Corbé, the head of information, to suspend Saint-Cricq from broadcasting until after the second-round elections. Ciotti remains prominently positioned in the Nice election with 43% of the vote, ahead of incumbent mayor Christian Estrosi.

The controversy sparked debate within media circles: Pascal Praud defended Saint-Cricq, calling the backlash a "Stalinist trial" and affirming her journalistic quality. Conversely, commentator Mathieu Bock-Côté criticized her apology as insincere, suggesting it revealed a broader bias against the national right. Other voices questioned the need for such an apology and the implication of equating Ciotti with fascism.

Saint-Cricq is set to return to air on Sunday after the suspension period ends, as France Télévisions seeks to maintain impartiality during the ongoing municipal election coverage.