Elysée Palace Searched in Contract Investigation

French investigators searched the Elysée Palace on Thursday as part of an investigation into procurement contracts awarded to Shortcut Events, a company that has organized major ceremonies for President Emmanuel Macron in recent years, according to Le Monde.

The investigation concerns the organization of tribute ceremonies at the Panthéon in Paris and the process by which the company won those contracts. Two judges from the financial crimes unit had already attempted to search the presidential palace in April but were turned away.

At the time, the financial prosecutor's office invoked Article 67 of the French constitution, which states that premises connected to the presidential office are inviolable. However, Le Monde reported that several constitutional law experts have disputed this interpretation, arguing that the protection applies to the president and the exercise of his functions, not automatically to the Elysée Palace premises themselves.

In April, investigators also searched the headquarters of Shortcut Events, the Centre for National Monuments and the homes of several individuals linked to the case.

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