Edward Marchesi During a meeting held at the Elysee Palace with the main candidates for the upcoming presidential election and political party leaders, French President Emmanuel Macron devoted a significant portion of the debate to national security.
Meeting at the Elysee: participants and topics discussed
The meeting, chaired by Macron, brought together representatives from across the political spectrum, from center-left to right-wing forces, with the aim of establishing a common path on relations with Russia and the emerging challenges facing Europe.
The debate was particularly heated over France's role in defending its strategic interests.
Request for a Critical Infrastructure Protection Plan
The head of state proposed the immediate drafting of a critical infrastructure protection plan aimed at securing energy networks, communications systems, transportation, and other essential facilities.
According to Macron, these areas are particularly vulnerable to hybrid attack operations attributed to Moscow.
Specific objectives of the plan
Suggested measures include reviewing cyber defense protocols, increasing resources for physical surveillance of strategic sites, and strengthening cooperation with NATO partners. The president also called for greater integration between civilian authorities and the military to respond rapidly to potential threats.
The new nature of Russian aggression in Europe
Macron emphasized that the nature of Russian aggression is evolving, moving from conventional actions to mixed strategies combining propaganda, cyberattacks, and targeted sabotage. This transformation, he explained, requires an equally flexible and coordinated response.
Impact on energy and telecommunications
Power grids and telecommunications systems are identified as the most likely targets of future hybrid operations, given their importance to economic continuity and citizen security. The proposed plan also calls for periodic resilience tests to assess the infrastructure's ability to withstand digital or physical compromise.