Resignation of Macron's Advisor Intensifies Scandal Involving Former President's Security Chief

Ismail Amelin, special advisor to Emmanuel Macron, resigned on Wednesday, February 13, joining a number of others who have left the French presidency in recent months. This occurs as Mr. Macron has been unable to improve his popularity in public opinion due to the ongoing "Yellow Vest" protests and the continuing fallout from the scandal involving the former head of presidential security. According to Reuters, Ismail Amelin, one of Mr. Macron's most loyal advisors, stated on Monday that he would resign from his position in late March or early April, emphasizing that this decision is not related to the scandal known as the "Benalla affair" involving the former head of security at the French presidency. Alexandre Benalla was finally dismissed from the presidency after images emerged of him beating protesters in May 2018, but there are suspicions that Mr. Macron's office and some state institutions in France tried to cover up his illegal actions. Protests intensified when it became clear that Alexandre Benalla had traveled even after his dismissal using a diplomatic passport. In an audio recording leaked last month, he claims that even after his dismissal, he received support and assistance from several officials in the presidential office, including Ismail Amelin. Before Ismail Amelin, two media advisors to Emmanuel Macron and the head of strategic policy formulation at the presidency also resigned from their positions. Alexandre Benalla has come under suspicion again due to revelations of his role in a $2.5 million security deal with two Russian oligarchs close to Vladimir Putin before and after leaving the French presidency and for potentially providing false evidence to the Senate regarding this matter. The French prosecutor's office announced on Friday that it has opened a case regarding one of these contracts with Alexander Makhmudov, a Russian oligarch. Alexandre Benalla refused to answer questions from Reuters. Elysee Palace officials also declined to comment, citing that investigations are ongoing. Meanwhile, 70 Yellow Vest protesters were arrested in Paris, and the French Prime Minister announced new laws to combat "unauthorized protests." Macron's response to the protests includes increasing the minimum wage and reducing taxes. The crisis in France continues, with a president who seems to be walking on water amid severe government repression and the risk of protests going underground.