France Weighs Making Protesters Financially Liable for Damage During Unrest

France Debates Controversial Bill to Make Protesters Pay for Damage Caused During Unrest

France’s upper house of parliament debated a contentious bill on Tuesday that would require protesters to pay for damage caused during street demonstrations. The proposal has sparked opposition from left-wing lawmakers and civil liberties groups, who warn that it could restrict the freedom to protest.

The legislation was originally drafted after riots broke out following Paris Saint-Germain’s victory over Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final in May. However, the proposal has gained renewed prominence following weeks of demonstrations over economic inequality and rising prices, which culminated in widespread violence on October 17. Thousands of businesses across France were damaged and looted during the unrest.

The Senate was due to vote on the bill later Tuesday. It was expected to secure considerable support in the upper chamber, where right-wing and centrist parties hold a majority. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen has also endorsed the legislation. Opinion polls have placed her among the leading contenders to succeed President Emmanuel Macron in next spring’s presidential election.

Proposed Law Could Impose Fines of Up to €10,000
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez urged lawmakers to act swiftly, citing the destruction and disorder witnessed during the October 17 unrest.

“We can no longer allow the vast majority of our fellow citizens to pay for a minority of vandals,” he said during the parliamentary debate. Under the proposed law, individuals could be ordered to pay up to €10,000 for damage caused during street demonstrations.

The bill would establish joint financial liability for people found to have “knowingly participated” in a group formed with the intention of committing acts of vandalism. Opponents argue that the provision could extend liability beyond those who directly damaged property.

The legislation would also cover individuals who “voluntarily” remain at a gathering likely to disrupt public order after police have issued two warnings calling for the crowd to disperse.

Another contentious provision would allow welfare benefits and housing assistance to be seized to help recover the costs of damage.

Left-Wing Lawmakers Accuse Government of Authoritarianism
The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from left-wing parties, whose lawmakers say it risks blurring the distinction between peaceful demonstrators and people involved in violence. Communist senator Fabien Gay condemned the bill as a “legal travesty” that deliberately conflates protesters with rioters.

Other left-wing lawmakers accused the government of an “authoritarian drift” that could undermine the freedom to demonstrate. Two motions seeking to reject the legislation outright were defeated in the Senate.

Critics are particularly concerned about the bill’s provisions for shared financial responsibility. They argue that people who did not personally engage in vandalism could nevertheless face financial penalties if authorities determine that they knowingly participated in a group associated with such acts.

They also warn that the possibility of substantial fines and the loss of welfare support could deter people, particularly those with limited financial resources, from taking part in public demonstrations.

Unions and Amnesty International Oppose the Proposal
Concerns have also been raised by trade unions, student organisations and human rights advocates. In a letter published last week in French newspaper Le Monde, a coalition of unions and student groups described the proposed measures as a “serious infringement on the freedom to demonstrate.”

The organisations warned that the legislation could disproportionately burden poorer households and create opportunities for arbitrary police action. Amnesty International has likewise called on the government to withdraw the proposal, highlighting concerns about its potential impact on civil liberties.

Balancing Public Order and Civil Liberties
The debate reflects a broader dispute over how France should respond to property destruction during demonstrations while protecting the right to peaceful assembly.

Supporters argue that those responsible for vandalism should bear the financial consequences rather than leaving taxpayers and affected businesses to cover the costs. Opponents, however, question whether the proposed rules could impose liability on people beyond those directly responsible for the damage.

The Senate’s vote on Tuesday was expected to be a significant step in the bill’s legislative progress, amid continuing disagreements over public safety, financial accountability and the protection of protest rights.