French assembly approves government declaration on narcotraffic

The French National Assembly symbolically approved the government's declaration on fighting narcotraffic during a debate on Wednesday. This discussion follows the death of Mehdi Kessaci in Marseille, which shocked public opinion. The government aims to build consensus on funding priorities.

The French government has launched a series of parliamentary debates to address budget challenges and highlight the importance of certain priority actions. On Wednesday afternoon, the National Assembly held a discussion on narcotraffic, a scourge against which the executive promises an unrelenting fight. This non-binding debate concluded with a symbolic vote approving the government's declaration.

The event is closely tied to the assassination of Mehdi Kessaci, which occurred on November 13 in Marseille. The young man was likely killed to intimidate his brother Amine, an ecologist activist committed to fighting drug trafficking. This case has spotlighted the persistent violence linked to narcotraffic in the Provençal city and beyond.

Alongside the budget review, these thematic exchanges aim to forge agreements between the executive and deputies. The government hopes to demonstrate the need to fund targeted measures against the transformation of the drug market across the national territory and ongoing legislative developments.

To inform the public, Le Monde organized two Q&A sessions with its journalists. At 2 p.m., Thomas Saintourens, a narcotraffic specialist, and Arthur Carpentier, in charge of monitoring law enforcement, addressed the state of narcotraffic in France. At 5 p.m., Gilles Rof, Marseille correspondent, and Grégoire Biseau, judicial news expert, shared their investigations conducted on site after Kessaci's murder, focusing on the local situation.

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French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez and Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin at a press conference in Marseille, addressing narcotraffic threats following an assassination.
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Ministers visit Marseille after narcotraffic-linked assassination

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One week after the assassination of Mehdi Kessaci in Marseille, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez and Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin visited the city on November 20, 2025. They stated that narcotraffic poses a threat at least equivalent to terrorism and pledged to bolster judicial resources. The event aims to address the shock from this alleged intimidation crime against anti-drug efforts.

The French government held an emergency meeting at the Élysée on November 18, 2025, to intensify the fight against narcotraffic following the assassination of Mehdi Kessaci, brother of an anti-drug activist, described as an 'intimidation crime'. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez highlighted that traffickers are reacting to blows from law enforcement. Emmanuel Macron plans a visit to Marseille mid-December.

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Nearly 6,200 people gathered in Marseille on Saturday to pay homage to Mehdi Kessaci, killed on November 13 by two motorbike assassins. The event, organized by the Conscience association founded by his brother Amine, was marked by emotion and calls for justice against narcotrafficking. Politicians from all sides joined the silent white march.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's administration maintains its threat to dissolve the National Assembly if censured over the Mercosur deal or 2026 budget, with snap elections prepared alongside March municipals to deter PS and LR support for opposition motions. As previously reported, Hollande and Barnier criticize the tactic; PS confirms no censure backing and eyes Monday budget talks.

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The French government threatened on Friday to dissolve the National Assembly if censured, preparing early legislative elections alongside March municipal polls. This response to censure motions from RN and LFI on the Mercosur deal draws criticism from figures like François Hollande and Michel Barnier. As the 2026 budget nears debate, calls to use article 49.3 grow to avert deadlock.

Anti-drug activist Amine Kessaci, 22, officially joined outgoing mayor Benoît Payan's list for Marseille's March municipal elections on January 26. A prominent figure in the fight against narcotrafficking and under heavy protection following his younger brother's assassination in November 2025, he will hold a central role in the left-wing union. He stated he will not live assigned to residence.

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In the night of November 21 to 22, 2025, the French National Assembly rejected almost unanimously the first part of the 2026 finance bill, concerning revenues. Only one favorable vote and 84 abstentions were recorded against 404 rejections. The government's initial text will be sent to the Senate without the adopted amendments.

 

 

 

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