Overview
- Prosecutors in Carpentras, which opened the case after Friday’s Liberation Day ceremony, are investigating the broadcast of the Vichy-era song “Maréchal, nous voilà!” in the town center.
- The inquiry targets possible public provocation to hatred or violence under French law, an offense punishable by up to one year in prison and a €45,000 fine, with higher penalties for public officials.
- The municipality, led by RN mayor Hervé de Lépinau, says it provided an approved playlist to a contractor, while local station RTV FM apologized and called the airing an accidental addition by a technician.
- The parquet said it learned of the incident through press reports, opened the probe without waiting for a complaint, and is not favoring any lead, as the mayor says he intends to file a complaint.
- The song praises Marshal Pétain and is tied to the collaborationist Vichy regime, a context that explains the strong reaction during a World War II victory commemoration and heightens the stakes for those involved.