Europe Asia News

French President Emmanuel Macron stated in a post on his social media account that he had met with the mayor, local officials, prefectural authorities, business owners, residents and internal security forces in Marseille.

Macron said that necessary adjustments had been made based on lessons learned from the events of October 17, and that the right to demonstrate had been protected and public order maintained on Saturday, October 24. He thanked security forces and local authorities for their efforts, adding that the necessary security measures would remain in place to preserve calm in the city.

Macron explained that work was underway to establish permanent demonstration routes outside the city center in order to balance freedom of assembly, residents' safety and the resumption of economic activities. He emphasized that the priorities were maintaining peace, reopening businesses and restoring normal daily life.

Macron stated that various support measures, including a relief fund, had been introduced in cooperation with local authorities and the private sector for businesses that had been looted or forced to close because of the incidents. He added that efforts were underway with insurance companies and banks to accelerate compensation payments, help finance new orders and support business owners who had suffered losses of income.

Macron acknowledged that concerns about the cost of living and the future of high school and university students were legitimate and required concrete responses, announcing that the government would present measures later that day. However, he stressed that these concerns could not justify violence, looting or attacks against public institutions.

Noting that France needed democratic debate rather than a cycle of violence six months before the presidential election, Macron emphasized the importance of allowing different opinions to be expressed, proposals to be discussed and citizens to freely choose their future. He stated that the government would fulfill its responsibility to maintain public order, protect the environment for democratic debate and preserve social cohesion.