France Proposes Law to Hold Protesters Liable for Property Damage

The French government is rapidly advancing a law that would hold protesters financially responsible for property damage, even if they did not directly participate in the vandalism. This move has sparked significant backlash from labor groups and the left.
On October 25, the British newspaper The Guardian reported that the French Senate is set to begin deliberations on the so-called "vandals pay law," which the government of Emmanuel Macron is pushing for expedited consideration.
The proposed legislation would impose liability of up to 10,000 euros (approximately $15,000) on individuals who were part of a group that caused damage or who remained near the scene of the vandalism, even if they did not directly engage in the destruction. The bill also includes provisions to significantly expand the use of drones for monitoring protests.
This legislation was initially drafted following violent incidents that occurred after Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defeated Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League in May. However, it has recently come under scrutiny due to protests by students, unions, and the "Yellow Vests" movement, which have been marred by arson and looting while demanding improvements in education, rising costs, and public services.
French Minister of the Interior Sébastien Lecornu emphasized the necessity of the law, stating, "This bill is absolutely essential," in light of the recent violent protests.
As the government struggles to manage the protests, Marine Le Pen, a member of the far-right National Rally (RN), is leveraging the situation to bolster her position in the upcoming presidential race under the banner of "law and order." Despite being convicted of misusing European Parliament funds and currently appealing the decision, Le Pen launched her campaign in Orléans on October 25, promising to restore order to France, with around 8,000 supporters in attendance.
The RN claims that this bill was originally their idea. In her speech, Le Pen declared, "Those who destroy property will pay the price, and I will ensure they repay it for the rest of their lives."
However, leftist groups and labor unions have strongly opposed the bill, arguing that it contains provisions that infringe on the right to assemble. Éric Coquerel, a member of the far-left La France Insoumise, criticized the law, stating, "No one will risk paying 10,000 euros for damages they did not cause. This law signifies the end of street protests in France." Senators from the Communist Party and the French Human Rights League (LDH) have also called for its withdrawal, labeling it a serious attack on the freedom to protest and a regression of the rule of law.
Legal experts have raised alarms as well. Serge Slama, a professor at Grenoble Alpes University, remarked, "A massive restriction of civil liberties without a state of emergency is unprecedented. If this bad law passes, it could serve as a legal means for future far-right governments to suppress citizens without needing to amend the law."