France is looking to make accountable those involved in violent protests pay for the damage they cause, with a proposed law that would allow authorities to recover compensation from welfare payments, including housing aid and family allowances.
The French Senate approved the measure by 229 votes to 105 this week, less than two weeks after cost-of-living protests spiralled into some of the country’s worst unrest in years.
The violence left behind damage estimated at more than 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion). Nearly 2,400 people were arrested over a single weekend, thousands of shops were looted or damaged, and a fire gutted the 19th-century city hall in Limoges.
France is not alone in seeking tougher measures. Across parts of Western Europe, governments are increasingly looking at ways to hold rioters accountable, with some extending responsibility to parents and social media platforms accused of enabling violence.
Authorities argue that victims should be compensated and those responsible should bear the cost. Critics, however, fear the measures could end up punishing families who had no role in the violence while also discouraging people from joining peaceful demonstrations.
France wants rioters to pay for the damage Under the proposed French law, people who knowingly join a group preparing to commit violence could be required to pay up to 10,000 euros ($11,200) towards damage caused by others.
The provision would also apply to those who remain with a violent crowd after police have ordered it to disperse, making them potentially liable for damage caused thereafter.
But getting offenders to pay has been a challenge. Many have little income, while certain welf
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