It is a rare measure, made possible by the recent law against drug trafficking adopted last June. The prefect of Bouches-du-Rhône, Georges-François Leclerc, announced this Friday that it had started ten expulsion procedures targeting tenants of social housing involved in delinquency cases.
In a press release, the state representative specifies that targeted persons live in Marseille and in municipalities located around the Berre pond. They are accused of having “seriously disturbed public order” in their neighborhood, in particular by acts of drug trafficking, threats or violence against the police, or even repeated urban rodeos. “The vast majority has been convicted, even imprisoned,” says the prefecture.
📄 10 procedures initiated today by the prefect of Bouches-du-Rhône with several social landlords in the department in order to obtain the expulsion of delinquent tenants.
⚖️ Since the law of June 13, 2025, the prefects have a power of injunction with regard to … pic.twitter.com/vGIVEgxOLc
-Bouches-du-Rhône police prefect (@prefpolice13) July 25, 2025
The procedures are initiated with several social landlords in the department. They are based on the law of June 13, 2025, which now authorizes the expulsion of tenants whose behaviors “degrade the living conditions of other inhabitants”.
This initiative is part of a desire for the government to fight more severely against drug trafficking and their effects in working -class neighborhoods. “This is a strong measure, in response to acts that poison the lives of residents respectful of the rules,” insists Georges-François Leclerc.
The expulsions, if validated by the judges, could intervene in the coming months. However, they are likely to appeal, in particular before the administrative courts.
