'Deeply regressive': How the French government plans to make protesters pay for riots and looting

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   French Senate passes bill to charge rioters for damages

   The French Senate adopted the Casseurs-payeurs bill on 27 October, which requires individuals involved in riots and public disorder to pay compensation for damages. The law allows for fines reaching up to 10,000 euros. Some proposals within the legislation suggest making families liable for costs, potentially allowing the government to deduct payments from housing aid and family benefits. Critics describe the measure as anti-democratic and regressive, arguing it threatens the fundamental right to protest.

   Why it matters

   The legislation follows violent unrest and looting that caused over 1 billion euros in damages. This move occurs amid broader instability, including a National Assembly vote on 5 November to unanimously reject the proposed 2027 budget. Recent protests over living costs have seen turnouts between 320,000 and nearly 500,000 people.

   What is confirmed

   • The French Senate passed the Casseurs-payeurs bill on 27 October.
   • The bill allows for compensation payments for riot damages up to 10,000 euros.
   • The National Assembly unanimously voted against the proposed 2027 government budget on 5 November.
   • Interior ministry estimates placed 320,000 protesters in recent living cost demonstrations, while organisers claimed nearly half a million.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The government may implement a levy on home and car insurance policies to cover riot damage.
   • The law could allow deductions from family benefits and housing aid to pay for damages.

   What to watch next

   • Final legal implementation of the Casseurs-payeurs bill
   • Government response to the National Assembly's budget rejection
   • Court challenges regarding the bill's impact on the right to protest
   Sources used for this update (15)

   1. The Guardian — Macron’s ‘vandals pay’ bill puts right to protest at risk
   2. Reuters — Critics attack 'anti-democratic' French bill making rioters pay
   3. CNBC — French Senate backs ‘Rioters Pay’ bill that could make protesters pay $11,000 fines
   4. EU Today — The Rioters Who Destroy Europe’s Streets Must Be Made to Pay
   5. France 24 — 'Deeply regressive': How the French government plans to make protesters pay for riots and looting
   6. 10TV — Who pays for a $1B riot? Europe looks past rioters to their parents and the apps in their pockets
   7. connexionfrance — Levy on car and home insurance policies to pay for riot damage
   8. The Connexion — ‘I am beyond disgusted’: Readers react to French ‘riot tax’
   9. www.france24.com — Some 320,000 demonstrators take part in largely peaceful ...
   10. www.cnbc.com — French budget unanimously rejected by lawmakers ahead of ...
   11. www.wionews.com — France protests: Demonstrators may pay up to €10,000 ... - WION
   12. civicspacewatch.eu — FRANCE: "Breakers pay" bill threatens the right to protest ...
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