French authorities have a secret bunker on the outskirts of Paris where President Emmanuel Macron could be sent if protesters attack the Élysée Palace. The revelation comes in a new investigative book that sheds light on the emergency plans drawn up by the authorities to ensure the safety of the head of state in the event of uncontrollable unrest. According to the book “La Nouvelle Armée des Ombres” (“The New Army of Shadows”), written by investigative journalists Pierre Gastineau, Antoine Isabard and Franck Reno, the French government has prepared scenarios for the removal of the president from the presidential palace in the event of a serious social crisis.
Fear of a repeat of the “Yellow Vest” protests
According to the authors, the “Yellow Vest” movement, which shook France in 2018, played an important role in the drafting of these plans. Concerns about Macron’s security increased especially after a visit to the city of Le Puy-en-Velay, where he was confronted by angry protesters. “The government was shaking,” one of the authors declared during an interview with France Inter radio, describing the climate created by the protests of that period. In drafting the plans, the authorities are said to have also taken into account the events of February 1934, when violent riots in Paris led to the overthrow of the then government.
New protests and security concerns
The revelations come as France faces fresh social mobilizations. Protesters are demanding higher wages, while the student movement has raised concerns about teacher shortages and education funding. New demonstrations by unions and student organizations are planned in Paris, while the “Yellow Vests” have announced a separate rally in the center of the capital, despite a ban imposed by the authorities. Incidents were recorded in several cities during Thursday’s mobilizations. In Strasbourg, a protester was filmed throwing a tear gas canister at police, while in Paris, officers were confronted with burning garbage cans during a march.
Fears of unrest after the presidential election
Another concern of the French authorities, according to the book, is related to the possibility of new protests erupting after the upcoming presidential elections. The authors analyze possible scenarios in the event of a victory of Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, which could be followed by mobilizations of radical left organizations, youth, and activist groups. Likewise, a possible victory of Jean-Luc Mélenchon could be accompanied, according to the authors, by forms of “passive resistance” within the police.
Secret meetings and simulations for cyberattacks
The book also reveals that the head of the Paris police, Patrice Faure, has held meetings to prepare security structures for the possibility of an uprising. Meanwhile, the French foreign intelligence service has been conducting simulations to test the response to possible interference in the electoral process. Another exercise by the Paris police involved operating for a full day without the use of smartphones, in order to test readiness in the event of a major cyberattack that would paralyze communications. According to the authors, a senior French intelligence official had warned as early as April of the possibility of major social unrest. However, the intelligence services are said to have underestimated the scale of the protests on October 17: initial estimates spoke of around 60 participants, while the figure mentioned in the book reached 500.
The revelations come just months before the French presidential election, which will elect Emmanuel Macron's successor. According to the authors, the possibility of strong reactions on the streets to the election result has become one of the scenarios being considered by French security structures.
