Macron’s Marseille Visit Puts Drugs, Justice, and Social Media in the Spotlight
So, here’s what unfolded during Emmanuel Macron’s full day in Marseille, a visit that was clearly loaded with symbolism, tough messages, and very raw exchanges. The President arrived in the city as part of a broader national tour focused on the impact of social media on democracy, but Marseille’s reality quickly pushed other urgent issues to the front, especially narcotrafficking and public security.
The day began on a somber note. Before any official meetings, Macron went to the Saint-Henri cemetery to pay his respects at the grave of Mehdi Kessaci. The 20-year-old had been killed just weeks earlier, and his death is widely seen as an act of intimidation linked to his brother’s activism against drug networks. Standing alongside Mehdi’s brother Amine, the moment was framed as a reminder that speaking out against traffickers can come at a deadly cost, and that the state cannot afford to step back.
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Later, the President sat down with readers of the regional newspaper La Provence to discuss what he called “democracy under pressure from social media.” It was here that Macron repeated his desire to ban social media access for children under 15 or 16, arguing that platforms are being used not just to spread misinformation, but also to facilitate crime. According to him, much of today’s drug trade is now organized through encrypted messaging apps and social networks, making the digital space a central battlefield.
That theme carried into his strongest announcement of the day: the plan to raise the on-the-spot fine for drug use to 500 euros. The message was blunt. Consumers, not just dealers, were said to be part of the problem. “You have to hit the wallet,” he insisted, adding that drug use should stop being treated as something trivial or “festive.” New measures were also mentioned to improve the collection of fines, since unpaid penalties have become a major weakness in enforcement.
Macron then moved through Marseille’s northern districts, inaugurating the new police station for the 13th and 14th arrondissements and visiting the Baumettes prison. Police officials pressed for stronger laws and more resources to target the top levels of criminal networks, while local leaders stressed the need for financial police to dismantle mafia-style structures.
Perhaps the most emotional moment came when Macron met the mother of Socayna, a law student killed by a stray bullet in 2023 while studying in her bedroom. Her message was simple and heartbreaking: justice must be done, and the violence has to stop.
The visit ended at Saint-Charles station, with long-term redevelopment projects discussed. But beyond the infrastructure and speeches, the day left a clear impression: Marseille remains a symbol of France’s toughest battles against drug violence, digital crime, and the human cost caught in between.
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