French Senate debates new 'rioters pay' bill

Thousands of French businesses are still dealing with the aftermath of recent riots, prompting lawmakers to consider this unprecedented approach to damage compensation. The proposal has sparked fierce debate among senators, with strong divisions emerging over its potential impact on civil liberties.

Democratic concerns

Opponents argue the bill could infringe on fundamental democratic rights to protest. They fear that ordinary citizens might avoid demonstrations altogether due to concerns about being held responsible for others' actions, even if they participated peacefully.