French trade unions have accused Emmanuel Macron's government of undermining the right to demonstrate with a fast-tracked bill that would make protesters liable for damage they did not personally cause, The Guardian reports.
The senate is due to debate the measure this week. Under the proposal, someone who stays at a protest or remains with a group responsible for vandalism could be ordered to pay up to €10,000, and police would make greater use of drones. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called the law essential after looting and arson during weeks of demonstrations over schools, living costs and public services.
Left-wing politicians said it would effectively end street protests. The National Rally says the idea was originally its own, and Marine Le Pen promised supporters at her campaign launch in Orléans on Sunday that rioters would be made to pay.
Source: The Guardian
