French President Macron 'Directly' Holding an Umbrella in a Sudden Rain Shower

▲On the 2nd (local time), French President Emmanuel Macron opened an umbrella himself when a shower fell during a speech at the Palais du Pharo in Marseille, southern France. Marseille (France) = AFP Yonhap News [Image source = EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] French President Emmanuel Macron was caught waiting under an umbrella he held himself until the rain stopped after a sudden downpour interrupted his speech, drawing attention.

According to the Associated Press on the 2nd (local time), President Macron announced plans to transform Marseille, where drug trafficking-related violent incidents persist, during the afternoon at the Palais du Pharo in Marseille.

He stated, "Marseille is poorer than other cities, but it is a city full of energy," and added, "We will take a comprehensive approach to resolve accumulated poverty."

To this end, he promised to open 50 new middle and high schools by early next year, launch educational programs leading to employment so that young people can find jobs, and support youth entrepreneurship.

Additionally, he pledged to invest 169 million euros (approximately 232.2 billion KRW) to improve Marseille’s aging hospital facilities and vowed to enhance transportation accessibility in underdeveloped areas through subway automation, new tram lines, and expanded bus routes.

He also emphasized that the fight to eradicate drug trafficking in Marseille will not stop.

In Marseille, located in the south and the second most populous city in France, there have been repeated shootings between organizations illegally trading drugs. According to official police statistics this year alone, 15 people have died in conflicts between drug trafficking groups, with 12 of those deaths occurring in the past two months. It was revealed that some victims were teenagers.

During Macron’s speech that day, a sudden downpour caused a temporary disruption to the event.

President Macron said to someone, "It would be good if someone could bring an umbrella," and waited under the umbrella himself until the rain stopped.

President Macron arrived in Marseille on the 1st, visiting police stations, schools, and hospitals, and is scheduled to stay until the 3rd.

French public broadcaster France Info reported that this is the first time since he began his term in 2017 that President Macron has stayed in one city for three consecutive days.

Political circles interpret this unusual extended visit as a move with the next presidential election scheduled for April next year in mind.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.