Macron Blames Urban Bourgeoisie for Funding Drug Trafficking Amid Marseille Violence

In a recent Council of Ministers meeting on November 19, 2025, President Emmanuel Macron delivered a pointed critique regarding the funding sources of drug trafficking in France, particularly highlighting the role of the urban bourgeoisie. Macron stated, "It’s sometimes the bourgeois of city centers who finance drug traffickers," a remark reported by government spokesperson Maud Bregeon. This statement came during discussions prompted by the violent assassination of Mehdi Kessaci, brother of activist Amine Kessaci, in Marseille.

Macron emphasized the need for prevention and awareness policies to combat drug consumption, criticizing the paradox of society lamenting drug-related deaths while continuing to consume drugs casually. He called for a comprehensive, inter-ministerial approach that spans local to international levels to tackle the complexities of the drug trafficking issue.

The assassination in Marseille, a city grappling with a surge in mafia network violence, has raised significant concerns about the growing influence of organized crime in France. Interior Minister's comments describe the incident as a 'tipping point,' underscoring the urgency for stronger state action. In response, Macron has convened a meeting at the Élysée Palace to evaluate the implementation of the narcotrafic law aimed at fighting drug trafficking.

The situation has sparked critical debates regarding the effectiveness of the state’s current measures against the strengthening drug mafias, with political analysts and editorialists discussing the challenges faced. Macron’s approach signals a renewed effort to integrate multiple ministries and levels of governance in addressing a multifaceted problem that has both local violence and international dimensions.

These developments occur against a backdrop of heightened violence in Marseille and reflect the French government’s acknowledgement of the intricate socio-economic factors involved in drug trafficking, including the contentious notion of complicity by certain social strata previously considered removed from such criminal enterprises.