French Senate approves bill making protesters liable for damage during demonstrations

▼ Easing

French Senate approves bill making protesters liable for damage at demonstrations

France's Senate approved a bill early on Wednesday that lets protesters be held financially liable for damage during demonstrations, with penalties of up to €10,000 and possible benefit seizures. Rights groups warn it could undermine the right to protest. The vote follows a Monday meeting between the government and student unions, where the government promised to phase out an unpopular university admissions system by 2028. Unions have called for fresh demonstrations on Saturday, October 31.

• The bill was fast-tracked by the government; trade unions accuse Macron of trying to curb the right to protest, and the text reportedly applies even to people who did not cause the damage.
• The bill includes an add-on letting the government block platforms slow to act on reports of dangerous content.
• Interior ministry said at least 1,300 people were arrested on the sidelines of Saturday's protests, and at least 50 officers and three protesters were hurt.
• Macron has ruled out a state of emergency for now and promised "concrete and strong" measures for students.