William Molinié, edited by Romain Rouillard
modified to
06:57, September 06, 2022
Two months after the appointment of Laurent Nunez as head of the Paris police headquarters, the identity of the new intelligence coordinator is still unknown. Several names are circulating but the executive is struggling to decide. The lucky winner will in particular have to send back to Emmanuel Macron the information of high importance.
It is an absence that is beginning to make people talk in the hushed and usually silent world of intelligence. The position of Intelligence Coordinator, left vacant since the departure two months ago of Laurent Nunez, appointed prefect of police in Paris, has still not been filled. Several names are circulating but the executive is struggling to decide.
However, the more time passes, the more the position, which has seen its number of employees multiplied by five under the first five-year term, risks being weakened. The Intelligence Coordinator is directly linked to the Élysée and has a dual role. It is first of all the cornerstone of the internal and external intelligence services. He ensures that chapel wars do not harm operations.
Then, it is he who sends back to Emmanuel Macron the classified information of primary importance. A heavy task given the President of the Republic’s appetite for reading all kinds of notes classified as defense secrets.
Routine business, handled normally
According to our information, several names are circulating to embody the discreet figure of the president’s confidant. His current and close security adviser Frédéric Rose, or even Pascal Maillot, the former director of General Intelligence, now prefect of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, are among the potential candidates.
The director of intelligence and defense security, General Eric Buquet, much appreciated by the Minister of the Armed Forces is also mentioned. There has also been talk in recent months of Nicolas Lerner, from the same promotion of ENA as Emmanuel Macron. However, he would have let it be known a few weeks ago that he wanted to remain at the head of the DGSI which, since the departure of Laurent Nunez this summer, no longer has the same direct access to the president. Even if, we are reassured in the small circle of spies, current affairs continue to be handled normally.