In Marseille, Emmanuel Macron faced with the anger of the northern districts

It took more than an hour for Emmanuel Macron to finally speak. This Monday, June 26, from the Busserine gymnasium, in the northern districts of Marseille, the Head of State wanted to debate with the representatives of ociations and the inhabitants to highlight “Act II” of his “Marseille en grand” plan, announced in September 2021. The President of the Republic thought he would reap some praise from an action that he considers “historical”. Billions of public money (15 of which 5 taken directly from the pocket of the State) have been paid to transform the school, to open up the districts, to renovate the housing and to fight the insecurity which undermines the second city of France. A few hours earlier had he not enjoyed a walkabout during which he had been described as ” Saviour “ from Marseille ?

But at La Busserine, anger wells up, grievances follow one after the other. ” We are fed up “attacks a mother. ” Fed up “, adds another. The inhabitants saw their neighborhood suddenly cleaned up before the arrival of the head of state. “Everyone has made you believe that everything is fine. Take care of us. It’s wrong “storm a resident. ” Nothing was done “, wins another. Each speech is applauded by the room.

The women describe unsanitary housing where the water has become toxic. Rats “big as cats” spin along the corridors. Schools are dilapidated. We deplore the shootings at night, of the inhabitants, taken hostage and of the children, caulked in the evening. “I don’t have my son’s body. I know they killed him. I await your justice”, calls out a resident of La Castellane. “ It is indeed Mr. Darmanin to bring back CRS trucks but this is not the solution. Already he would have to be there at night. We no longer tolerate living like this! »adds another, attacking the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, seated in the first row.

“This anger must be converted into projects”

Emmanuel Macron nods, frowns. Patient. Then gets up. “I understand that you are upset”, he admits. He too is annoyed. He said in the morning in an interview with the local daily, Provence, that things were not going fast enough. In front of a flag representing the Olympique Marseille logo and its motto, ” to the point “it finds : ” You are fed. » But explain that “The situation is the result of decades. The socio-economic difficulties have been concentrated in the same places. We are there. Have you been unemployed for the past few years? No. Are we going fast enough? No “, he defends. In the room, the anger persists. Presidential words do not appease. Emmanuel Macron comes alive: “I don’t take the shouting matches for all the past decades! » And ensures: “We put in the means, we change lives. »

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