Overview
- Investigators from the financial crimes unit who arrived at the palace Tuesday were denied entry under Article 67 of the Constitution, which shields presidential premises from investigative acts.
- The presidency said it will transmit staff documents that are considered separate from the president’s activity, and investigators received several personal computers that were handed over voluntarily.
- The same operation targeted the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, the Shortcut Events offices, and private homes, as judges pursue evidence on how Panthéon ceremony contracts were awarded.
- The case, opened as a judicial investigation on October 2, 2025 for favoritism, illegal taking of interest, corruption and influence peddling, followed a preliminary probe launched on December 7, 2023.
- At the center is Shortcut Events, which organized Panthéon ceremonies from 2002 to 2024 at roughly €2 million each, though the Robert Badinter tribute in 2025 went to rival agency Auditoire for €2.4 million.