Far-Right in Marseille Opposes Housing Regulations Amidst Growing Crisis

The far-right political factions in Marseille have actively opposed recent housing policies aimed at addressing the city's significant housing crisis. During a municipal meeting, Audrey Garino, housing deputy from the PCF, emphasized the severity of the crisis, stating, "We are facing a housing crisis that leaves many Marseillais unable to find decent housing." Garino underscored the importance of tackling the issue of thousands of vacant homes, particularly through the proposal to double taxes on empty properties.

In response, Samuel Benhamou of the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) argued that penalizing property owners financially would not solve the vacancy problem. Garino clarified that the focus is specifically on multi-property owners engaging in real estate speculation, not individual homeowners.

Moreover, opposition within the RN extends to social housing initiatives. Éléonore Bez, RN mayor of Marseille’s 9-10 district, refused to support social housing aid, despite claiming not to be opposed to social housing in principle. However, her deputy, Marc-Antoine Ponelle, openly rejected the construction of new social housing altogether. Garino stressed the necessity of affordable housing and highlighted that local housing programs aim for 32% intermediate housing in Marseille.

This stance from the far-right comes amid wider political turbulence in France, where the RN's rise has increasingly influenced local and national debates on social and economic policies. Marseille’s housing challenges are thus entwined with broader political conflicts, shaping the discourse on urban development and community welfare.