Sarkozy in gang violence talks

PRESIDENT Nicolas Sarkozy visits Nice today to lead talks on tackling urban violence.

As well as inaugurating a new local police force, he will take part in a discussion on public safety and reducing gang violence.

The visit marks seven years ago to the day that Front National leader Jean-Marie Le Pen qualified for the second round of the presidential elections after a campaign based on exploiting a public “feeling of insecurity.”

Sarkozy will today lead discussions on the matter in the city headed by mayor Christian Estrosi – who is in charge of preparing a national law to counter gang violence.

However, there has been criticism over the effectiveness of a new law from police and opposition parties.

Socialist Party leader Martine Aubry recently deplored what she claimed was an “almost inexistant” policy of preventative policing.

Front National politician Marine Le-Pen, the daughter of party leader Jean-Marie, last week demanded that the problem be tackled “by applying laws which already exist.”

Photo:Medef