Macron Visits Marseille Amid Escalating Drug Violence, Calls for Decisive Action

President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in Marseille, a city grappling with rising drug trafficking and associated violence. This visit, initially planned for July 2025 but postponed due to scheduling conflicts and wildfire threats, was shifted from reviewing a 2021 development plan to tackling urgent narcotrafic issues following the murder of Mehdi Kessaci, which sparked local unrest.

Dimitri Zoulas, head of the Office for the Fight Against Drugs (Ofast), highlighted the grim reality: drug-related violence centers on competing criminal networks vying for control over lucrative drug points that generate hundreds of thousands of euros monthly, especially fueled by a surge in cocaine influx. Zoulas described the challenge as "a Herculean task" given the numerous conflicts over supply, disputes, and vendettas.

Macron underscored that the affluent urban consumers indirectly finance this narcotrafic, stressing the state's commitment to combating such violence. Meanwhile, political voices like Rachida Dati criticize ongoing security denials and call for restoring authority, particularly in Paris, where Anne Hidalgo’s tenure is under increasing scrutiny. The context also includes broader social challenges, with the National Assembly passing the 2026 Social Security budget amid worsening financial conditions.

Overall, Macron’s visit represents a strategic focus on reasserting control over Marseille’s drug-related turmoil and signals intensified efforts by the government to curb the violence plaguing the city and its communities.