France's Senate passed a bill on Wednesday that would make protesters pay up to €10,000 for damage caused during street demonstrations, a hardline response to weeks of unrest that critics warn could punish people who never broke a window.
The upper house approved an expanded version of the legislation by 229 votes to 105, backed by a right-wing and centrist alliance that holds the majority. The bill now goes to the National Assembly, which is split between France's political factions, for debate and a vote.
A bill born after the Champions League riots
The legislation was first drafted after riots followed Paris Saint-Germain's victory over Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final in May. It took on new urgency after weeks of protests over inequality and soaring prices exploded into some of the worst violence France has seen in years on October 17, when thousands of businesses across the country were damaged and looted.
France saw one of its most intense days of protest activity in years that Saturday, with the Ministry of Interior reporting more than 550,000 participants nationwide and widespread confrontations between demonstrators and police. More than 2,000 people were arrested.
"We can no longer allow" ordinary citizens to pay
Speaking in parliament, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stressed the "urgency" of responding to the damage and scenes of chaos seen on October 17.
"We can no longer allow the vast majority of our fellow citizens to pay for a minority of vandals," Nunez said.
Under the legislation, protesters could be ordered to pay up to €10,000 for damage linked to street demonstrations. The bill introduces joint financial liability for anyone found to have "knowingly participated" in a group formed with the intent of carrying out acts of vandalism.
Critics call it a "legal travesty"
Critics argue the bill could curb the right to protest, warning that people who took no part in vandalism could nonetheless be held liable if they were deemed to have been associated with those responsible.
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen, whom opinion polls place as the frontrunner to succeed Emmanuel Macron in next spring's presidential election, supports the legislation.
The vote comes as France's protest movement shows no sign of ending: student demonstrators have already rejected the government's education package, and new protests are planned for October 31, with a general strike called for November 5.