MOSCOW, March 26, Victor Zhdanov. Emmanuel Macron fears for his own safety. And it’s not just about the imaginary “Russian threat.” Over the course of his two presidential terms, he has had to constantly beef up security because of unpopular decisions. The situation is becoming threatening for other Western leaders as well. Where can they expect trouble from? — in the material .
Risks for the President As noted in Marianne magazine, Macron’s personal security has been replenished with several strong-built employees who stand out from the rest. There are now more accompanying motorcycles in the presidential motorcade. The security service of the Elysee Palace went into «red alert» mode, informed sources told the publication.
Honor guard at the Elysee Palace before the start of events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, November 11, 2018
The French leader's upcoming visit to Ukraine is of particular concern. Abroad, he wears a bulletproof vest under his jacket, but this time they can also use early warning aircraft and Rafale fighters. In February, a visit to Kyiv was postponed, presumably for security reasons.
Macron considers Russia to be the main source of threat. Recently, he has been carefully studying reports on information wars, the media emphasize. They say the president has lost patience and wants concrete action. Every day there are meetings with representatives of the Main Directorate of Internal Security, foreign intelligence and the service for protection against digital foreign interference. The Foreign Ministry regularly holds meetings to counter disinformation from “hostile states.”
“Kennedy Syndrome” At the same time, Macron is worried about the dissatisfaction of his own citizens. After the “yellow vest” protests, security was significantly strengthened and existing resources were reorganized. According to Brigitte Macron, her husband has “Kennedy syndrome.” At the same time, during public appearances, the French leader communicates with people at his discretion, Marianne points out.
Participants of the “yellow vest” protest in Paris, June 1, 2019
They tried to organize assassination attempts on Macron more than once. In 2017, police arrested a 23-year-old nationalist from the city of Argenteuil: he wanted to shoot the president with a Kalashnikov assault rifle during a parade in honor of Bastille Day. By his own admission, he also intended to attack “Muslims and Arabs.”
Members of the far-right group Barjols were planning to attack Macron in 2018 to celebrate the centenary of the end of the First World War. They planned to mix with the crowd, approach the head of state and stab him with a ceramic knife. The police also found small arms and ammunition in the house of one of them. Three were sent to prison. The court was limited to a single suspended sentence, nine defendants were acquitted.
Detention of a protester during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Amsterdam
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Last year, the French leader was attacked at a ceremony honoring the 1791-1804 Haitian Revolution in Toussaint Louverture. A rally against pension reform was held near the Chateau de Joux. When Macron was flying away in a helicopter, one of the protesters launched a rocket with a gas bomb in his direction. He was a 20-year-old left-wing carpenter. According to him, he wanted to “challenge” the president and make it clear that the French do not agree with his policies.
Toxic environment The initiative to send Western troops to Ukraine, proposed by Macron, not only did not meet with much support among the allies, but also caused outrage within the country. The opposition took advantage of this — Marine Le Pen and Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Discussions about unpopular social reforms continue in society.
Protesters in Paris against raising the retirement age in France
The threats of radical Islamists should not be discounted. “French intelligence services probably have information that ISIS* or Al-Qaeda* groups are preparing an assassination attempt,” notes Nikolai Topornin, associate professor of the Department of European Law at MGIMO, in a conversation with him. “The country has a fairly large diaspora of immigrants from the Middle East. There is persons who can incline others to various kinds of violent actions, including the physical removal of the president.»
At the same time, the security forces are paying more and more attention to French radicals. Left and right extremists are less visible, the expert adds. In addition, they are better versed in the political situation.
Participants in a radical protest on Place Denfert-Rochereau in Paris
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«They have connections, sleeper cells and agents of influence. That is, the situation is quite alarming. I think this applies not only to Macron, but also to the leaders of other large countries — the same Olaf Scholz or, perhaps, the heads of the European Union. An assassination attempt on the President of France or «The chancellor of Germany would be of particular importance for any extremist group. Such a crime would resound throughout the world,» Topornin emphasizes.
Macron makes too many harsh statements, says Vladimir Olenchenko, an employee of the Center for European Studies at IMEMO RAS. In domestic politics, he practically opposed himself to the population.
French President Emmanuel Macron talks to French soldiers 
«This can be seen in his relationships with farmers. He does not want to enter into dialogue with them and speaks negatively about them, to put it mildly. He has no understanding with other segments of society. For example, with striking transport workers — he doesn’t want to talk to them either talk. There are no contacts with the opposition, which sharply criticizes him in parliament,” explains the political scientist.
At the same time, Macron is extremely aggressive in foreign policy. He practically calls for war in Ukraine with NATO forces, the expert adds. The French leader understands that he is sending negative signals to the world, and he is worried about the responsibility for this. A toxic and openly unfriendly environment has formed around him in the country.
* A terrorist organization banned in Russia.