Europe14 April, 20261 min read
French Investigators Raid Élysée Palace in Corruption Probe Over Pantheon Ceremony Contracts
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Investigators raided the Élysée Palace on April 14 in a corruption probe. Pantheon ceremonies contracts from 2002 to 2024 involve Shortcut Events, costing about €2 million each.
Elysee Palace Raid
French financial investigators raided the Elysee Palace on April 14 as part of a corruption probe into contracts awarded to Shortcut Events. Access to the palace was denied, citing Article 67 of the Constitution which renders presidential premises inviolable. The investigation focuses on whether proper procurement procedures were followed in awarding contracts consistently given to the same company.
Each ceremony was billed at around two million euros. The last ceremony organized by Shortcut was the 2024 commemoration of Missak Manouchian.
The probe was launched following an anonymous tip to the PNF in late 2023. Police also searched the National Monuments Center and Shortcut's offices, and several homes of implicated individuals.
Contract Controversy
Shortcut Events organized all Pantheon entry ceremonies from 2002 through 2024. Each event cost around two million euros. The company is partly owned by Havas.
The investigation centers on potential favoritism, unlawful conflict of interest, corruption and influence peddling. The National Monuments Center was also targeted in the searches. President Macron's office confirmed investigators showed up at the Elysee.