Sandrine Rousseau

In September 2022, Rousseau explains on television that she met Julien Bayou's former partner, whom she describes as severely distressed and having attempted suicide, and raises the issue of behaviour capable of devastating women's mental health. The crisis contributes to Bayou's withdrawal and then resignation from the Green leadership. The internal complaints body subsequently closes its file because it could not conduct its investigation; a complaint lodged in 2024 is closed in January 2025 because no offence is established, and subsequent internal reviews do not result in any public sanction against Bayou.

Attribution

Political responsibility

In 2026, Rousseau becomes one of the leading voices of dissent within Les Écologistes: she denounces an 'authoritarian drift' after the suspension of activists, criticises Marine Tondelier's results, rejects threats to expel elected representatives who support another candidate and ultimately calls on members not to vote for Tondelier's independent candidacy.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

At the summer school of Révolution écologique pour le vivant, Sandrine Rousseau calls on supporters to go into forests and the countryside when the hunting season opens to prevent hunting, declaring that they will stand 'upright, physically in front of them'. The National Hunters' Federation announces a complaint; MPs refer the matter to prosecutors and several departmental federations, notably in Ariège, also announce complaints.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Appearing on La Grande confrontation on LCI, Sandrine Rousseau challenges David Pujadas ahead of her debate with Fabien Roussel to condemn the presence of far-right influencer Le Bracq on the programme. She recalls reported misogynistic insults directed at comedian Florence Mendez and allegations of cyberharassment, triggering a tense exchange over the broadcaster's editorial responsibility.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

A photograph of Rousseau at the Vélodrome stadium with Rachid Zeroual, leader of the South Winners, attracts criticism from LGBT organisations in a context where homophobic chants have been heard in the stadium. Opponents accuse her of inconsistency with her feminist and LGBT commitments.

State of the evidence

Documented

Rousseau criticises the Green candidate selection method for 2027, considering it too tightly controlled around Marine Tondelier, and calls for a process open to the wider left. The episode highlights a division between advocates of an independent Green candidacy and proponents of a broader primary.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Asked about the Duplomb law and the profitability of farms, Sandrine Rousseau declares that she 'couldn't give a damn about their profitability'. The remark provokes a strong reaction from agricultural representatives and unions, who consider it contemptuous towards farmers.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Sandrine Rousseau's plan to purchase a house in Dinéault, Finistère, sparks mobilisation by members of Coordination rurale and local farmers following her remarks on agricultural profitability. A giant barbecue is held outside the property she hopes to buy, and hostile messages target her planned move.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

During budget debates, Rousseau makes an obscene arm gesture towards Rassemblement national MPs. The incident leads to suspension of the sitting and controversy over parliamentary behaviour. She quickly apologises.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

After declaring that one in four femicides was linked to a hunting firearm and associating hunting with what she considers inherent violence, Sandrine Rousseau is sued in civil proceedings by the National Hunters' Federation for disparagement and harm to hunters' interests. On 30 October 2024, the 17th Civil Chamber of the Paris Judicial Court finds the federation's action unfounded; the federation announces an appeal.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Accused

Rousseau participates in the prohibited protest against large water reservoirs at Sainte-Soline and subsequently accuses the political authorities of seeking to intimidate protesters, publicly questioning whether they intended to provoke an incident. Her statements contribute to controversy over responsibility for violent clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement.

State of the evidence

Alleged

Attribution

Directly implicated

Sandrine Rousseau says she lives with a 'deconstructed man', a phrase that becomes one of the media symbols of her ecofeminist campaign and provokes mockery and criticism concerning relations between women and men.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Rousseau says she sometimes finds it depressing to engage in politics within 'Ku Klux Klan groups', a phrase interpreted as targeting her own Green movement and which provokes strong reactions. She subsequently clarifies that she was referring to the rise of white supremacy and acknowledges that the expression was clumsy and excessive.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Rousseau raises the idea of an offence of failing to share domestic chores in order to give practical effect to equality within couples. The proposal triggers considerable controversy over legal feasibility, state intrusion into private life and how such conduct could be proven.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Rousseau links excessive meat consumption, particularly barbecues and steak, to norms of virility. The remark provokes extensive political and media debate about food, gender and environmentalism.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

During the debate sparked by Fabien Roussel over the 'left of work', Sandrine Rousseau notably defends the 'right to be lazy' and states that 'work as a value' is a right-wing value. The remark triggers renewed controversy over the left's social identity.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

During the Green primary, Rousseau champions ecofeminism and draws a now-viral contrast between 'women casting spells' and men building EPR reactors. The phrase sparks controversy about rationality, science and nuclear power.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Sandrine Rousseau is among the women who publicly accuse Denis Baupin of inappropriate sexual behaviour or assault. The criminal investigation concerning Baupin is affected in part by statutory limitation periods. Baupin subsequently sues journalists and accusers for defamation; in April 2019, the court acquits the defendants and sanctions Baupin for abusive proceedings.

State of the evidence

Documented

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist is the victim

Appearing to present her book Parler about the trauma linked to conduct she attributes to Denis Baupin, Sandrine Rousseau becomes involved in a very heated confrontation with Christine Angot and Yann Moix on On n'est pas couché. The segment prompts numerous viewer complaints to the CSA; Marlène Schiappa also refers the matter to the regulator, while controversy emerges over how the programme was edited.

State of the evidence

Documented