Charles Sapin withdraws editorial from France Inter following staff protests

Charles Sapin, deputy editor of the conservative weekly Valeurs actuelles, has announced he will no longer provide his weekly editorial on France Inter. The decision follows a directive from Radio France management to cancel his segment.

The move comes after significant internal unrest at the public broadcaster. Since late August, staff members and various unions—including the CFDT, CGT, and others—have organized protests and strikes to oppose Sapin’s presence on the air, citing concerns that his views align with far-right ideologies. Strikes were held on September 13 and 14, with further industrial action planned for September 21.

Sapin has criticized the decision, stating that his professional integrity and his publication have been subject to a “defamation campaign” intended to exclude his voice from public debate. While Radio France management offered to replace the editorial with a debate format, Sapin declined. Bruno Retailleau, president of the LR party, criticized the management's decision, describing the protests as “anti-fascist little theater.”