Critics attack 'anti-democratic' French bill making rioters pay
The Senate expanded the measure to hold protesters jointly liable for damage and to seize welfare benefits, drawing criticism from rights groups and lawyers.
- On Wednesday, October 28, 2026, the French Senate passed a bill making protesters financially liable for damage caused during street demonstrations, clearing the upper house by 229 votes to 105.
- Riots following Paris Saint-Germain's victory over Arsenal in May initially prompted the bill, which gained significance after widespread looting and violence across France on October 17.
- The bill mandates joint financial liability for those who 'knowingly participated' in vandalism, authorizes seizing social benefits like housing aid, and requires social media platforms to remove insurrectionist content within 24 hours.
- Amnesty International and left-wing lawmakers denounced the bill as a 'legal travesty' and 'collective punishment,' warning it could push families into poverty and restrict freedom to demonstrate.
- The legislation now moves to the National Assembly for debate, while trade unions and student groups have organized a national strike for November 5 to protest potential infringement on civil liberties.
99 Articles
99 Articles
The French Senate today adopted a bill that allows protesters to pay for damages caused in the event of riots during demonstrations, reports French television France 24.
At first reading, the Senate passed the bill which establishes collective financial responsibility for demonstrators in the event of degradation by adding new provisions, such as the withdrawal of content on social networks or the use of algorithmic video surveillance.
Paris, 28 Oct (EFE).- The French Senate approved on Wednesday a bill that extends economic responsibility for damage caused during riots and strengthens police tools, and that continues its parliamentary process on the eve of new calls for demonstrations for the next few days.The initiative was approved this morning by 229 [...] Entry The French Senate approves a tougher law against looting and riots was first published in HolaNews.
The text is now transmitted to the National Assembly.
Senators have passed a bill that reinforces the logic of the "payer payer", which aims to strengthen the responsibility of the people responsible for the damage. The bill is criticized for violating the right to manifestA text that is intended to respond to the scenes of break-ins that have become recurrent in French demonstrations. Senators adopted this Tuesday late in the night a bill to "introduce the principle of payer breaker during violent…
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