Nathalie Saint-Cricq Suspended After 'Alias Benito' Comment on Éric Ciotti During Municipal Elections
Journalist Nathalie Saint-Cricq was suspended for a week after calling Éric Ciotti 'Alias Benito' during live election coverage, sparking debate and official apologies.
Key details
- Saint-Cricq referred to Éric Ciotti as 'Alias Benito' during live Franceinfo broadcast.
- France Télévisions suspended her for one week following the incident.
- The comment occurred during coverage of the municipal elections where Ciotti leads with 43% of the vote in Nice.
- Pascal Praud defended Saint-Cricq, while others criticized the comment and her apology.
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.
Source articles (3)
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tvmag.lefigaro.fr Mar 16, 2026
Éric Ciotti comparé à Benito Mussolini : Pascal Praud prend la défense de Nathalie Saint-Cricq
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Éric Ciotti comparé à Benito Mussolini : France Télévisions sanctionne immédiatement Nathalie Saint-Cricq
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lemonde.fr Mar 16, 2026
Nathalie Saint-Cricq, qui a qualifié Eric Ciotti de « Benito », suspendue de Franceinfo pour une semaine
Source comparison
Timing of the incident
Sources report different timings for when the incident occurred.
tvmag.lefigaro.fr
"The incident occurred on a Monday morning."
tvmag.lefigaro.fr
"The incident occurred on Sunday evening."
Why this matters: One source states the incident happened on a Monday morning, while another claims it occurred on Sunday evening. This discrepancy affects the timeline of events surrounding the incident.
Duration of suspension
Sources report different durations for Nathalie Saint-Cricq's suspension.
tvmag.lefigaro.fr
"Saint-Cricq would be suspended from her duties until Sunday."
lemonde.fr
"Saint-Cricq has been suspended for a week."
Why this matters: One source states she is suspended until Sunday, while another indicates a one-week suspension. This affects understanding of how long she will be off the air.