Paris:Ouagadougou The entourage of French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly considered plans to shelter him in a secret location outside Paris in case of an intrusion by protesters at the Élysée Palace, according to a new book by three intelligence journalists.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the book titled "The New Army of Shadows," authored by Pierre Gastineau, Antoine Izambard, and Franck Renaud, details the discussions about security measures in anticipation of the 2027 presidential election. These discussions reportedly began following the Yellow Vest protests in 2018, which included an incident in Le Puy-en-Velay that deeply impacted Macron's security team.

The authors indicate that the government, shaken by past protests, explored various evacuation plans for the president and prepared for potential unrest following the upcoming election. The Paris police have been actively preparing for possible insurrections, including scenarios involving the National Rally (RN) or La France insoumise (LFI) party victories.

Security services have also simulated operations without secure communications in case of a major cyberattack, and military personnel have assessed intervention strategies to defend Parliament against armed uprisings. These preparations highlight concerns beyond Macron's personal safety, focusing on the continuity of French institutions amid potential crises.

The book further revisits the existence of clandestine funds intended to support resistance networks in the event of a state collapse, amidst ongoing social unrest in France marked by protests against the high cost of living.