France appointed its first woman domestic intelligence chief Wednesday, with top police officer Céline Berthon stepping up to head the General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI). The 5,000-strong organization plays a key role in counter-espionage, fighting terrorism and cybercrime.
The rise of Berthon, 47, has been meteoric. She became number two of France's national police only in April after being the first woman – and the youngest person – ever to lead its frontline operations in 2021. Berthon had previously headed the police commissioners' union.
The policewoman replaces Nicolas Lerner, who is taking over France's DGSE foreign espionage service. His appointment is also novel – the first time that a former head of the DGSI has become chief of France's foreign intelligence agency.