MEP Chloé Ridel receives death threats over fire‑risk call on Lédenon circuit

European Parliament member Chloé Ridel published a tribune demanding that the Lédenon motor‑sport circuit be closed on days when the surrounding forest is classified as high fire risk. Following the article’s republication in national media, she was subjected to a wave of violent online messages, some explicitly threatening her life, her family and her home. Ridel posted screenshots of the harassing comments and filed a police complaint, stating she will not be intimidated.

The director of the Lédenon circuit, Florence Danguy, defended the safety measures in place and disputed Ridel’s arguments. Nîmes mayor Vincent Bouget publicly backed the MEP, condemning the threats. The automotive magazine Auto Moto later removed the hateful comments after criticism for not moderating the discussion.

Ridel’s case highlights tensions between local fire‑prevention policies and the operation of motorsport events in fire‑prone regions of southern France.