The Garde Républicaine has been standing guard outside the presidential palace ever since the founding of the French republic. But today, it provides more pomp and circumstance than protection to merit its outsized budget, France’s spending watchdog has ruled, reports France 24.
In a report released on Tuesday, the Cour des Comptes recommended a reduction in spending at the guard, which employs 2,959 military and civilian staff and costs the state some 280 million euros a year.
Officially, the guard spends 69% of its time protecting “national palaces” such as the Senate, the National Assembly and the presidential palace.
But in the event of an organised attack, “it would be unable to resist without assistance,” the Cour des Comptes ruled, adding that its functions were now “more prestige than security-orientated”.
Interior Minister Manuel Valls responded to the recommendations "favourably", underlining the importance of securing sites “particularly vulnerable to potential terror attacks”.
Read more of this report from France 24.