French President Emmanuel Macron visited the town of Good on Monday in what may very well be thought of an unofficial presidential re-election marketing campaign cease.

Macron was in Good to debate safety and security, a subject notably necessary for the Mediterranean metropolis. In 2016, an extremist terrorist drove a cargo truck right into a packed crowd celebrating Bastille Day. The assault killed 86 individuals and injured numerous extra. Throughout his go to, Macron met with legislation enforcement officers and lawmakers to debate safety measures within the metropolis and nation.

"We have now invested closely in our safety forces to make sure the security of our residents," Macron stated at a press convention. "The individuals have the suitable to dwell in peace each single day, however there's much more to do."

Macron has not formally confirmed whether or not or not he'll search re-election. Nevertheless, the go to to Good is being seen as an unofficial affirmation of a second-term run. Good is usually thought of to be a vital metropolis for elections, as they usually lean conservative and proper wing. The lean may very well be important for the centrist Macron, whose greatest competitor for president is the Republicans' Valérie Pécresse.

If Macron is planning to run for re-election, he's anticipated to take action quickly, because the French presidential election will happen on April 10.

Macron in Nice
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech throughout a gathering with cops as a part of a go to of the previous Saint-Roch hospital, future police headquarters, in Good, southeastern France, on January 10, 2022. The go to fueled hypothesis that Marcon will search re-election.Picture by Daniel Cole/Pool/AFP by way of Getty Photos

Macron hardly talked about the present coronavirus surge fueled by the fast-spreading omicron variant. He changed his mantra of the previous months—"vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate"—with a brand new phrase: "defend, defend, defend."

By 2025, the Saint Roch will develop into a large police middle, the place over 2,000 nationwide and municipal officers will work along with state-of-the-art expertise, together with video surveillance. Work is anticipated to begin subsequent 12 months.

Macron's push to sort out safety points within the coronary heart of the French conservative political panorama seems as an effort to counter criticism from presidential challengers, together with candidates on the suitable and the far-right who promote a tough line on safety points.

In September, Macron introduced measures to make police operations extra clear, together with publishing inner investigation reviews and making a parliamentary monitoring physique, to enhance public confidence that has been eroded by police scandals.

Rights organizations have repeatedly criticized police brutality in France, notably towards members of the nation's racial, ethnic and spiritual minorities. Like the US, France has been seen protests over allegations of racism, injustice and impunity in terms of violence from legislation enforcement.

Macron stated a part of the answer is to place extra police within the streets and on public transport, notably to fight violence towards girls.

"It is there that ladies are most weak and we have to do every little thing to guard them," Macron stated, vowing to double the variety of officers coping with home violence to 4,000 whole.

He additionally referred to as for extra coaching for French police in coping with victims of home violence and sexual abuse and assault, and detailed the enforcement of a controversial legislation to fight Islamic radicalization.

Three girls have been discovered lifeless on New 12 months's Day throughout France, allegedly killed by their companions, regardless of efforts by Macron's authorities to fight home killings.

In France's presidential race, Pécresse, a former minister and a authorities spokesperson, is the primary girl to develop into the Republicans' candidate for president. Often known as a pro-European, Pécresse in latest months has hardened her positions on immigration and safety to enchantment to extra right-wing voters.

Two far-right contenders—Marine Le Pen, the pinnacle of the Nationwide Rally get together who misplaced to Macron within the 2017 presidential runoff, and former TV pundit Eric Zemmour—are campaigning on anti-Islam, anti-migrant themes, accusing Macron of being gentle on crime and delinquency.

On the left, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo of the Socialists and European lawmaker Yannick Jadot of the Greens are working, together with the far-left chief of the Insurgent France get together, Jean Lue Melenchon, who's searching for the presidency for the third time.

The Related Press contributed to this report.

Macron at Saint-Roch
French President Emmanuel Macron leaves the Saint-Roch former hospital, which is able to develop into the brand new police headquarters in Good, on January 10, 2022, as a part of his go to to the French Mediterranean coast targeted on inner safety. Good was hit by an extremist assault in 2016 that left 86 individuals lifeless.Picture by Valery Hache/AFP by way of Getty Photos