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French President Emmanuel Macron spoke of an “urgent need to accelerate” the transformation of Marseille on Thursday as he rolled out a multibillion-euro plan to deal with a “social, health and security emergency” in a city with struggling with drugs, violent crime and dilapidated schools, social housing and hospitals.
Admitting that Paris had probably underestimated the now endemic problems of Marseille, Macron deployed his strategy to eradicate “cumulative poverty” by building and strengthening the links between sport, education, culture and public services.
During a speech at the Palais du Pharo on the seafront in front of local elected officials and selected members of society, Macron described Marseille as a “world city” which was “poorer than other cities … but also full. of energy ”.
“We have to build the Marseille of 2030 now,” he said, while a post on his official twitter account added: “Together we can make Marseille a great one.”
Police
The president announced 8 million euros to support the besieged police of Marseille, as well as plans to regroup the police in two districts of the disadvantaged northern suburbs.
In addition, 150 million euros will be devoted to a new police headquarters. The French Interior Ministry had earlier promised the deployment of 300 additional police officers.
Speaking before Macron, the socialist mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan, warned that the city was “affected by arms trafficking, murders in abandoned neighborhoods which close in on fear”.
Authorities say there has been an “explosion” in gang-related killings since mid-June, with a total of 12 dead.
Education
To respond to the problem of “disaster-stricken” schools in Marseille, a term used by Payan, 50 schools are to be chosen for an educational experiment which hopes to “invent the school of the future”.
On education in struggling neighborhoods – Payan warned nearly 300 schools are in “shameful condition” – Macron said principals need to be given more authority.
“We must allow teachers to choose these neighborhoods and the educational projects that go with it,” continues the Head of State.
Macron also wants to open 10 “micro primary schools” and 10 “micro high schools” in the northern districts by 2022.
Health
“We need to continue to relocate doctors and caregivers to cities,” Macron said, adding that neighborhoods should not be left to fend for themselves.
“In France’s second largest city, there are medical deserts in the heart of the city,” he said.
Some 169 million euros have been earmarked for the renovation of two hospitals, while another 50 million will be devoted to support services for women and children in difficult areas.
Transport
Macron also announced a billion euros to improve the accessibility and automation of the city’s metro, as well as the creation of four tram lines and five bus lines to help “open up” the northern districts.
Macron’s three-day trip – the longest devoted to a single city since coming to power in 2017 – is also part of his campaign for the presidential elections next April, in which he will almost certainly be a candidate.
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