Macron’s ‘vandals pay’ bill puts right to protest at risk

Trade unions and anti-government protesters have accused President Emmanuel Macron of trying to curb the fundamental right to protest in France. The government is pushing through a new law that would make individuals liable for damage caused by vandalism during demonstrations, even if they did not directly commit the acts.

The legislation, which will be debated in the French senate this week, would impose a fine of up to €10,000 on anyone protesting who was in the vicinity of perpetrators or part of the same group. The bill also provides for greater use of drones over protests.

The move comes amid a month of sustained protests, led by high-school students demanding better school conditions, and a broader social crisis over the cost of living and public services. Authorities have increased security measures and placed restrictions on demonstrating after France experienced one of its worst days of violence earlier this month.

Government defends new law

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu defended the bill, which was originally prepared after violent clashes following Paris Saint-Germain’s victory over Arsenal in May. He said it was 'absolutely essential' in the face of looting and burning during recent demonstrations across France.

The legislation is part of a broader government strategy to contain the current crisis. Marine Le Pen, the far-right National Rally leader, has seen her frontrunner status in next spring’s presidential election boosted as she seeks to reinforce her law-and-order credentials.

Far-right claims credit for the bill

The National Rally has claimed the 'vandals pay' bill was originally its idea. Le Pen said she would ensure damage to property was paid for by rioters, promising to 'bring back order to France'.

Le Pen launched her presidential campaign on Sunday at a rally in Orléans, attended by more than 8,000 people, and has lodged an appeal to France’s highest court over her conviction for embezzlement of European parliament funds.

Opponents warn of protests' end

Opponents of the bill argue it would effectively end street demonstrations in France. Éric Coquerel, from Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s radical left La France Insoumise, said the law would mean the 'end of street demonstrations' because people would not want to take the risk of being held responsible.

The Communist senator Fabien Gay warned that 'No demonstration could take place again in our country' under the proposed law. At this weekend’s protests, many participants said they had come out to defend the French right to protest in the street.

Historical context and next steps

Street protests in France are a fundamental way for people to make themselves heard by a centralised state, regularly used to express criticism of changes to the law, from pension changes to same-sex marriage. Although Macron has not put in place a state of emergency, the government and local authorities have introduced limits on demonstrating, including bans on gatherings in front of schools and in city centres.

Professor Serge Slama of Université Grenoble Alpes noted that while a state of emergency has been ruled out, a wide restriction on public liberties has been introduced through decrees. He warned this was 'unprecedented' and would benefit the far right if they won elections next year.

Lecornu will meet representatives of protesting high-schoolers on Monday as the government comes under pressure to respond to their demands with funding and school repairs to avoid further school blockades.