French Senate takes up 'rioters pay' bill after nationwide protests

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French Senate takes up 'rioters pay' bill as students plan new march Saturday

The French Senate took up a bill on Tuesday that would make rioters pay for damage from recent unrest, with an add-on letting the government block platforms slow to act on reports of dangerous content. On Monday the government promised to phase out an unpopular university admissions system by 2028 after meeting student unions. The unions hailed progress but called for fresh demonstrations on Saturday, October 31.

• Macron ruled out a state of emergency for now and promised concrete measures responding to students' demands.
• Trade unions accuse Macron of trying to curb the right to protest through the fast-tracked bill, which makes protesters liable for damage even if they did not cause it.
• At least 1,300 people were arrested at Saturday's protests, and at least 50 officers and three protesters were hurt, the interior ministry said.
• The interior ministry reported 410,000 demonstrators on Saturday, including 110,000 in Paris, while unions claimed 800,000.