Macron Sounds Alarm Over Islamist ‘Entryism’ Into French Institutions
A newly released intelligence report has sent shockwaves through France’s political establishment, exposing a coordinated infiltration by the Muslim Brotherhood into public institutions with the ultimate aim of pushing the nation toward Islamic law. The revelations have forced President Emmanuel Macron to urgently demand new countermeasures from his cabinet.
The disturbing phenomenon—termed “entryism”—suggests Islamists are no longer merely isolating themselves in parallel communities (as with past accusations of “separatism”), but are now actively embedding themselves into schools, local councils, and public services, with the long-term goal of transforming the French Republic from within.
What the Report Reveals
Published in part by Le Figaro and acknowledged by the Élysée Palace, the classified report identifies the Federation of Muslims of France (FMF) as a key conduit for Muslim Brotherhood ideology. The FMF currently controls approximately 7% of all worship spaces in France and has established deep connections with local authorities, giving it the leverage to exert ideological influence on policies and community structures.
A senior French official described the strategy as:
“Getting involved in republican infrastructure… in order to change it from the inside. It requires dissimulation… and it works from the bottom up.”
This marks a radical shift from separatism to systemic infiltration, where Islamist networks aim to reshape institutions to reflect Sharia principles, not through violent confrontation, but by quiet institutional capture.
Political Reactions and National Response
President Macron convened an emergency security cabinet session and has instructed the government to draft a comprehensive response plan by next month. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, a conservative and one of the most vocal critics of Islamism, warned of an Islamist electoral strategy ahead of France’s 2026 municipal elections, expressing concern that Islamist candidate slates could become a reality.
“This is no longer about exclusion or extremism from the margins—it’s about manipulating our system from within,” Retailleau said.
FMF Pushes Back, Claims Victimhood
Unsurprisingly, the Federation of Muslims of France has fiercely rejected the allegations, accusing the French government of stigmatizing Muslims under the guise of national security. In a statement, the FMF said:
“Confusing Islam with political Islamism and radicality is not only dangerous, but counter-productive for the Republic itself… Behind these unfounded accusations is a plan to stigmatize Islam and Muslims.”
But critics argue that this defense mirrors the standard deflection tactic of Islamist-linked groups, conflating criticism of political Islam with Islamophobia to suppress legitimate scrutiny.
The Bigger Picture
France has the largest Muslim population in Europe and a history of deadly Islamist attacks. Yet this report signals that ideological subversion may now be a greater threat than terror plots. By quietly embedding within the civic fabric of France, groups linked to the Muslim Brotherhood are accused of working toward a slow-motion coup against the secular values of the Republic.
This latest warning demands more than words. With municipal elections looming, the question for Macron—and all of France—is not just how to respond, but whether it’s already too late to reverse the tide.
The Republic stands at a crossroads. The next few months may determine whether France can preserve its secular identity or watch it be quietly rewritten—one infiltrated institution at a time.
