Overview
- Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez sent a nationwide telegram on December 3 instructing prefects to reinforce protections around Christmas markets due to a very high terrorist threat level.
- Prefects are told to impose targeted administrative measures such as parking and traffic limits, manage pedestrian flows, and ensure thorough entry controls using municipal video surveillance and private security support.
- Authorities must mobilize intelligence services to detect, prevent, and, if needed, hinder threats, with a visible presence of police and, where appropriate, Sentinelle troops to deter attacks.
- An inquiry continues after a handgun and ammunition were found near the Strasbourg market last week, with Nuñez saying there is currently no indication the discovery is linked to terrorism.
- Officials cite sustained counterterror work, including hundreds of jihadism procedures since 2019 and dozens this year, and Franceinfo reports seven plots foiled in 2025 according to intelligence services.