France’s Senate is set to debate a bill that could make qualifying participants in violent gatherings jointly liable for up to €10,000 each in property damage, extending repayment risk beyond people who directly caused it.
The government says the existing recovery system leaves the state with an annual budget burden above €5 million because authorities have difficulty identifying those responsible and collecting significant sums. Its explanatory memorandum identifies businesses, local authorities and residents as directly affected, while insurance and public repair spending spread some costs more widely. The government cites violence at the May UEFA Champions League final as context for the proposal.
The Senate committee text sets out two paths to liability. One could apply to someone who knowingly joins a group covered by a Criminal Code provision on preparing violence or damage and is present when a member commits a specified offense. The other covers someone who voluntarily stays at a legally defined gathering after police summonses to disperse, knowing that members are committing violence, theft or property damage. The text exempts people who stay for a “legitimate reason.” The government says personal causation would not have to be proved for each person held liable.
After a final damages judgment, the proposal would allow recovery from certain family allowances and housing assistance. The committee text also adds a provision concerning the revenu de solidarité active (RSA).
The bill was filed in the Senate on Sept. 16 under an accelerated procedure and in Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s name. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin and Health Minister Stéphanie Rist presented it, before the latest protest actions.
Leaders of the CGT, FSU, Solidaires, student organizations and the Ligue des droits de l’Homme urged lawmakers to abandon the bill in a collective tribune published Oct. 23. They warned that shared liability could expose peaceful demonstrators and parents of minors to financial risk and discourage people from attending protests. The committee text requires specified participation and knowledge; attendance by itself is not listed as sufficient.
France’s Council of State said the liability provisions it reviewed posed no constitutional or European Convention on Human Rights obstacle under the safeguards considered. Its advisory opinion also criticized the impact study for lacking enough financial and budget information to assess the bill’s likely effects.
At public actions on Oct. 24, the Interior Ministry counted 410,000 people nationwide, including 110,000 in Paris. The CGT estimated turnout at nearly 800,000. Senators are scheduled to debate the committee text on Oct. 27 and 28, and it could still change before a vote.
