In 1995, then-president Jacques Chirac apologised for France’s role in the roundup of Jews to be deported to concentration camps. It has since been acknowledged by numerous presidents, and monuments honouring Pétain have been removed across the country.
However, some in far-right and far-left circles dispute that version of history, with one renowned historian, Alain Michel, pushing the theory that some of Pétain’s policies were driven by a desire to save French Jews.
Nazi hunter Serge Klarsfeld described Zemmour’s interpretation as “completely false."
Responding to the ruling on social media, Zemmour wrote: “French justice has made its decision today. Those who call me a ‘Pétainiste’ are morally, historically, and now legally wrong.
“One thing out of the way, just as I embark on a beautiful election campaign.”
Zemmour announced last week that he would be standing in the French parliamentary elections, taking place in June.
He lost the first round of the presidential election held last month having promised that he would get to the second round: "Then, I will be either president of the Republic or leader of the opposition.”
He won just 7.07 per cent of the vote, coming fourth behind President Emmanuel Macron, right-wing leader Marine Le Pen, and left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon. However, he won more votes than the traditional Socialist and Republican parties that have dominated French politics for decades.
