AFP: Elysee Palace, the official residence of the French President, subjected to large-scale search
The search was carried out by the National Financial Prosecutor's Office, focusing on corruption, favoritism, and financial misconduct arising during the organization of high-end state ceremonies.
The investigation centers on Château Events Planning Company. Prosecutors have determined that over a period of more than two decades—from 2002 to 2024—this firm bypassed open bidding procedures and exclusively handled various projects at the Elysee Palace. Numerous high-level, highly significant national events were entrusted to this company, including the solemn ceremony for transferring the remains of France’s illustrious figures to the Pantheon. Local media revealed that the cost of organizing a single such ceremony could reach as high as 2 million euros.
Initially, investigators were unable to enter the presidential residence. On April 14, the first request for a search was rejected by the presidential palace, which cited Article 67 of the Constitution, invoking the inviolability clause of the head of state’s official residence. After a month of interdepartmental negotiations, the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office finally obtained formal authorization to conduct the search on May 21.
The Elysee Palace told AFP that the presidential office ultimately approved the search because the investigation did not target Emmanuel Macron personally. The entire search operation strictly followed constitutional regulations and adhered to confidentiality standards related to national defense secrets.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1865972475813900/
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