National Assembly

Best-selling French novelist Agnès Ledig, author of 'Juste avant le bonheur' and a goat farmer in the Vosges, announced on July 26, 2026, that she is returning her Legion of Honour medal in protest against the recently adopted agricultural emergency law. In an open letter to the President of the Republic, Ledig stated she was acting 'to preserve my honor,' citing years of frustration over health scandals, ecological disasters, and weak political responses to the climate emergency. She specifically condemned the law's conditional authorization of banned pesticides, calling it 'the drop that made the cup of my anger and indignation overflow.' Ledig, who also works as a midwife and lost her five-year-old son to leukemia, questioned how a republican state can accept chemical molecules in children's umbilical cord blood without urgent action. The law was definitively adopted by Parliament last week and has been submitted to the Constitutional Council by left-wing deputies.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 03:23 PM UTC

The French Senate voted on July 3, 2026, to adopt a heavily right-wing revised emergency agricultural bill, originally drafted to address farmer protests. The bill controversially reintroduces two banned insecticides—acetamiprid and flupyradifurone—for limited use on crops like hazelnuts and sugar beets, despite government opposition from Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard. Environmental NGOs, left-leaning groups, and patient associations condemned the move as a dangerous setback. The bill also eases water storage and wolf management rules. Tensions remain high as a joint committee prepares to reconcile differences with the National Assembly's version.

25 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 10:00 AM UTC

On July 23, 2026, the French Constitutional Council censured several measures of the criminal justice bill championed by Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, notably the use of genetic genealogy to solve investigations, particularly cold cases. The Council ruled the measure unconstitutional due to insufficient safeguards balancing offender pursuit and privacy rights, noting it violated France's ban on recreational genetic tests. However, the Council validated key contested measures including the creation of departmental criminal courts (CCD) to try recidivist crimes, reduced deadlines for lawyers' motions to dismiss, and extended pretrial detentions. Darmanin welcomed the validation, stating the measures would accelerate scheduling times and strengthen efficiency for victims. The bill was definitively adopted on July 9 after the withdrawal of its controversial plea bargaining provision.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 06:46 PM UTC

On July 23, 2026, the French Constitutional Council censured several measures of the criminal justice bill championed by Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, notably the use of genetic genealogy to solve investigations. The Council ruled that the legislator failed to provide sufficient legal safeguards to balance the pursuit of offenders with the right to privacy, particularly regarding consultation of private company databases offering recreational genetic tests banned in France. The bill, finally adopted on July 9 after the controversial 'plea bargaining' measure was withdrawn, saw its main contested measures upheld, including the creation of departmental criminal courts (CCD) to judge crimes committed in a state of legal recidivism, reduced deadlines for lawyers' nullity requests, and extended pre-trial detentions. The Council also censured an article creating a status for judicial police psychologists. Darmanin welcomed the validation of the main measures, stating they would accelerate scheduling times and strengthen efficiency and proximity for victims.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 06:46 PM UTC

French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist announced on July 23, 2026, the government's intention to double the annual cap on medical deductibles from €100 to €200 per patient. The plan, which was abandoned in autumn 2025 during budget debates, would increase the maximum out-of-pocket costs for medications, paramedical procedures, medical transport, and doctor visits. Currently, patients pay a €1 deductible per medication box and a €2 flat-rate contribution per consultation, with annual caps of €50 each. The minister argued the threshold has not changed in twenty years, while deductibles themselves doubled in 2024. The decision faces widespread opposition from healthcare sector stakeholders. The article notes that the system was largely introduced under President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 10:47 AM UTC

On July 23, 2026, French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist announced the government's intention to double the annual cap on medical deductibles from €100 to €200 per patient. The plan, which was abandoned during budget debates in autumn 2025, would increase the maximum out-of-pocket costs for medications, consultations, paramedical procedures, and medical transport. The system includes €1 deductibles on medication boxes and up to €4 on transport, plus €2 flat-rate contributions per doctor visit and for radiological exams. The minister justified the move by noting the cap has not changed in twenty years, while deductibles themselves were doubled in 2024. The proposal faces widespread opposition from healthcare sector stakeholders.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 10:47 AM UTC

On July 21, 2026, the French National Assembly's Law Committee classified a petition that would have allowed opponents to bring the proposed law on presumption of self-defense for police and gendarmes back to parliamentary debate. The text, already adopted by the Assembly, aims to grant greater legal protection to law enforcement when using firearms. It is supported by the government, the right, and the far right. The proposed law will be examined in the Senate in the fall. Opponents have raised criticisms and concerns about the changes the adoption could bring. The article explains the potential implications and revisits the controversy surrounding the legislation.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 06:00 PM UTC

On July 20, 2026, French lawmakers reached a compromise on a bill banning social media access for minors under 15, with enforcement starting September 1, 2026. The law, backed by President Macron, also restricts smartphone use in high schools. It faces a constitutional review and potential conflict with EU regulations. The European Commission has urged caution and announced its own plans for minor access. France becomes the first EU country to enact such a ban, following Australia’s under-16 social media law.

14 reports · 7 sources · Updated Jul 22, 03:44 PM UTC

The French National Assembly's Law Commission voted 35-21 to dismiss a petition with over 720,000 signatures opposing a bill that would establish a rebuttable presumption of lawful use of firearms by police and gendarmes. The bill, sponsored by deputy Eric Pauget (Les Républicains), was adopted by the Assembly in early July and sent to the Senate. Supporters argue it protects officers from systematic suspicion or custody, while critics on the left call it a 'license to kill' and note France already has the highest number of people killed or injured by law enforcement in the EU. Commission members argued debating the petition would be redundant with ongoing legislative examination and would violate bicameralism. This is the second petition dismissed in 2026, following a similar decision in April against the Yadan anti-Semitism bill. Only one petition has ever been debated in the hemicycle, concerning the Duplomb law on pesticides.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 01:25 PM UTC

The French National Assembly's Law Committee voted 35-21 to dismiss a petition with over 720,000 signatures opposing a bill that would create a presumption of lawful use of firearms by police and gendarmes. The bill, sponsored by deputy Eric Pauget, establishes that law enforcement officers are 'presumed to have acted' within the law when using their weapons, with the presumption being rebuttable by contrary evidence. Supporters argue it will prevent systematic suspicion and police custody for officers, while critics on the left call it a 'license to kill' and note France already has the highest rate of police killings in the EU. The committee majority argued that debating the petition would be redundant with the ongoing legislative process, as the bill has already passed the National Assembly and been sent to the Senate. This follows a similar dismissal of a petition against the Yadan anti-Semitism bill in April.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 01:25 PM UTC

French Ecological Transition Minister Monique Barbut resigned on July 22, 2026, after Parliament adopted an emergency agricultural law allowing the conditional reintroduction of two EU-authorized but France-banned pesticides (acetamiprid and flupyradifurone). Barbut, a former WWF president, felt betrayed after President Macron and PM Lecornu assured her the bill would not include phytosanitary products. PM Lecornu expressed confidence in her but defended the compromise. The resignation highlights deep government divisions over environmental commitments versus agricultural policy.

12 reports · 2 sources · Updated Jul 22, 05:22 PM UTC

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, in a July 2026 interview with Paris Match, described France's debt and deficit levels as 'worrying, even serious,' limiting the country's freedom of action. He affirmed that deficit reduction remains the top priority, despite a challenging pre-election context and lack of a parliamentary majority. The government forecasts a deficit of 5% of GDP in 2026, down from 5.1% in 2025, but Lecornu said he is 'not very optimistic' about meeting targets for 2026 and 2027, citing the unforeseen impact of the war in Iran on energy prices and military costs. He advocated for fiscal stability with no new taxes, though he left open the possibility of trimming certain tax niches. On spending, he proposed reducing reimbursement for medications with low therapeutic benefit, preserving hospital rates, and introducing a 'budgetary bonus-malus' to encourage ministries to invest in digital technology and AI. He also suggested greening the VAT compensation fund for local authorities and redistributing a 'demographic dividend' in education due to falling birth rates. Lecornu stressed the need to adopt a budget during the winter to avoid hindering the next president elected in May 2027.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 05:41 AM UTC

The French Parliament definitively adopted a bill on July 21, 2026, creating a public property company to manage state real estate. The reform, supported by President Macron's party and ranging from the National Rally to the Socialists, aims to rationalize the public property portfolio and finance the ecological transition. Under the new system, ministries and other administrations will become tenants of the state-owned company, paying rent based on the surfaces they actually use. The state holds nearly 96 million m² of built surface and 42,000 km² of undeveloped land, valued at around 74 billion euros. The goal is to reduce the portfolio by 25% by 2032. The left was divided: La France Insoumise opposed the reform as introducing market logic into the state, while the Socialist Party supported it. The government argues the reform will make real estate costs more visible and help address an estimated 140-150 billion euro investment gap by 2050.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 01:47 AM UTC

On July 21, 2026, the French Parliament definitively adopted a bill creating a land company to manage state real estate, forcing ministries and other administrations to become tenants rather than owners of their buildings. The reform, authored by former minister Thomas Cazenave, aims to rationalize the public property portfolio, achieve savings, and finance the ecological transition. The state owns nearly 96 million square meters of built space and 42,000 square kilometers of undeveloped land, valued at around 74 billion euros. The goal is to reduce the portfolio by 25% by 2032. Rents charged to ministries will make occupancy costs visible and encourage space reduction or pooling. The bill passed the National Assembly with 276 votes in favor and 86 against, supported by parties from the National Rally to the Socialist Party. Left-wing groups like La France Insoumise opposed it, warning of market logic harming public services. The government cites a Court of Auditors estimate of 140-150 billion euros needed for investment by 2050.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 01:47 AM UTC

On July 21, 2026, the French Parliament definitively adopted a law dedicated to mountain areas, with 325 senators voting in favor and 16 against. The law addresses the unique challenges of mountain territories, which cover about 30% of France and face issues like school closures, limited healthcare access, water management, and urban planning. Key measures include adapting school maps to isolation and travel times, strengthening emergency air medical transport, and relaxing urban planning rules. The law also facilitates the creation of hillside reservoirs, which drew criticism from ecologists who argue it prioritizes artificial snow over drinking water. Minister Delegate for Rurality Michel Fournier hailed the law as an extension of the 1985 territorial differentiation principle, giving mountain elected officials tools for schools, heritage, water, and living conditions.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 07:16 PM UTC

On July 21, 2026, the French Parliament definitively adopted a law dedicated to mountain regions, addressing their unique challenges such as slopes, landlocking, and isolation. The bill, co-signed by 122 deputies from various political backgrounds, was approved in the Senate with 325 votes in favor and 16 against. Key measures include adapting school maps to account for isolation and travel times, strengthening healthcare access through emergency air medical transport in remote areas, and relaxing urban planning rules. The law also addresses water management, including the creation of hillside reservoirs, which drew criticism from environmentalists. Minister Delegate for Rurality Michel Fournier hailed the law as an extension of the 1985 mountain law, emphasizing territorial differentiation. Environmentalist senators opposed the bill, arguing that provisions for artificial snow and reservoirs prioritize drinking water and snowmaking equally, hindering ecological transition. The law covers about 30% of France's national territory.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 07:16 PM UTC

On July 21, 2026, MP Vincent Caure, a 33-year-old Macronist and former deputy chief of staff to President Emmanuel Macron, was elected president of the French National Assembly's Law Committee. He succeeded fellow Macronist Florent Boudié, who left the Assembly after his government mission on encrypted messaging was extended beyond the six-month limit for parliamentarians. Caure, who represents French citizens in Northern Europe since 2024, won the election with 36 votes against 27 for socialist rival Colette Capdevielle. The Law Committee oversees sovereign and constitutional matters. Boudié's departure, effective July 19, 2026, marked the beginning of the legislature's epilogue, and his alternate Marie-Sophie Bernadeau took his seat.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 05:42 PM UTC

On July 21, 2026, MP Vincent Caure, a 33-year-old Macronist and former deputy chief of staff to President Emmanuel Macron, was elected president of the French National Assembly's Law Committee, succeeding fellow Macronist Florent Boudié. Caure, who represents French citizens in Northern Europe since 2024, won the vote with 36 votes against 27 for socialist candidate Colette Capdevielle. Boudié, who had chaired the committee since 2024, left the Assembly after his term ended on July 19, following an extension of his government mission on encrypted messaging beyond the six-month limit for parliamentarians. His alternate, Marie-Sophie Bernadeau, replaced him. The Law Committee oversees sovereign and constitutional matters, making this a significant leadership change in the French legislature.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 05:42 PM UTC

On July 21, 2026, the French National Assembly adopted the 'child protection' bill in first reading with 378 votes in favor and 7 against. The bill includes a government-backed amendment providing for life imprisonment for serial rape of minors under 15, which passed with 258 votes in favor and 84 against. This measure had been rejected earlier during the first reading on July 15-17 due to opposition from left-wing deputies who denounced it as a repressive measure masking insufficient resources for investigations and prevention. The text also includes the imprescriptibility of sexual crimes against minors, adopted via an amendment by deputy Arnaud Bonnet on July 16. The bill was opposed by left-wing groups including Socialists, The Ecologists, La France Insoumise, and the Democratic and Republican Left group, who described it as a 'catch-all' text. It was supported by centrist and right-wing groups, as well as far-right parties including the National Rally.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 04:20 PM UTC

The French National Assembly's Law Committee is set to debate a petition against the presumption of self-defense for law enforcement, which has garnered over 700,000 signatures. The petition, launched by Issam El Khalfaoui after his son's death during a police check, reflects a broader trend of citizen petitions challenging parliamentary decisions. Since the success of the mobilization against the Duplomb law, petitions have multiplied, including one against the Yadan bill on anti-Semitism. The right of petition, rooted in revolutionary traditions, was reformed after the 'yellow vests' crisis with digital platforms and identity verification. However, petitions are increasingly used to oppose reforms rather than propose new ideas. Despite obstacles like committee dismissals and low-attendance debates, petitions have influenced outcomes, such as the Constitutional Council's censure of the Duplomb law and the withdrawal of the Yadan bill. The opposition leverages these petitions to gain political momentum.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 06:38 AM UTC

On July 20, 2026, French deputies and senators reached a compromise in a joint committee on the Ripost bill, a legislative package focused on citizen tranquility and public order. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the agreement on social media, stating it would allow for more effective sanctioning of public order breaches. The compromise version was approved by a vote of 10 to 2, with support from the central bloc, the right, and the far right, while Socialist Party and La France Insoumise deputies opposed it. Key measures retained include a ban on selling nitrous oxide to individuals, new offenses for organizing free parties, and increased penalties for urban rodeos. However, the government suffered a setback when an article strengthening administrative stadium bans was removed with support from PS, LR, and National Rally members. Another measure on algorithmic video surveillance in shops was also dropped. The joint committee reinstated several measures previously removed in the Assembly, including increased fixed fines for drug use and changes to video surveillance recording retention. The bill is expected to be definitively adopted by Parliament on Tuesday.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 08:17 PM UTC

On July 20, 2026, French deputies and senators reached a compromise version of the Ripost bill on citizen tranquility in a joint committee, paving the way for final parliamentary adoption on July 21. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the agreement on social media, praising the majority for enabling more effective sanctions against public order breaches. The compromise was approved 10-2, with the central bloc, right, and far right in favor, while Socialist Party and La France Insoumise deputies opposed. Key measures validated include banning nitrous oxide sales to individuals, creating offenses for organizing free parties, and increasing penalties for urban rodeos. The government suffered a setback when an article strengthening administrative stadium bans was removed. Algorithmic video surveillance in shops was also dropped. The committee reinstated measures previously removed in the Assembly, including increased fixed fines for drug use and retention of video surveillance recordings in custody suites.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 08:17 PM UTC

The adoption of France's emergency agricultural bill has been suspended as a controversial article allowing the reintroduction of banned pesticides threatens to split the governing coalition. The text, which was set for a final vote in the National Assembly on July 20, 2026, includes provisions to reintroduce acetamiprid and flupyradifurone—pesticides banned in France but authorized in the EU—for struggling agricultural sectors. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu convened an emergency meeting with coalition group presidents and key ministers to resolve the impasse. The issue divides the Ensemble pour la République (EPR) group, with some deputies calling for the removal of the acetamiprid provision. Environmental groups have denounced the text, while Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard warned that blocking the law would further despair farmers. The bill had previously been agreed upon in a joint parliamentary committee but now faces uncertain adoption.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 01:24 PM UTC

During the first reading of the 'child protection' bill in the French National Assembly (July 15-17, 2026), deputies rejected a government-backed measure (Article 11) to establish life imprisonment for serial rapes of minors under 15. The rejection followed heated debates, with left-wing lawmakers criticizing the measure as purely repressive. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin requested a new vote on the article, scheduled for July 21, just before the solemn vote on the entire text. Separately, deputies approved an amendment by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu requiring that within three months, a set of investigative acts be carried out in cases of violence against minors, addressing judicial flaws exposed by the death of an 11-year-old middle school student (Lyhanna). The bill aims to strengthen child protection measures.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 18, 05:40 AM UTC

On July 16, 2026, left-wing MPs, magistrates, lawyers, and human rights groups in France called for mobilization against a bill passed by the National Assembly on July 7. The bill, introduced by MP Eric Pauget (Les Républicains), establishes a presumption that police officers and gendarmes act lawfully when using their weapons. Critics, including MP Pouria Amirshahi, lawyer Margot Pugliese, and Amnesty International France, argue the text creates a 'license to kill,' undermines investigations into fatal shootings, and disinhibits law enforcement. A petition against the bill has exceeded 650,000 signatures. Opponents plan to refer the matter to the Constitutional Council if the bill is adopted.

1 reports · 1 sources

On July 16, 2026, the French National Assembly voted to extend imprescriptibility—previously reserved for crimes against humanity—to crimes committed against minors. The amendment, proposed by Green MP Arnaud Bonnet, was adopted with 93 votes in favor and 51 against. Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin supported the measure but warned of potential unconstitutionality. The vote occurred during examination of a child protection bill. The proposal follows recommendations from the Independent Commission on Incest and Sexual Violence Against Children (November 2023 report) and builds on previous reforms: in 2018, the statute of limitations for sexual crimes against minors was extended to 30 years after the victim reaches majority, and a 2021 law introduced a 'rolling' prescription principle. The measure is not unanimous, particularly within the judicial community, with some arguing it would disrupt the penal code's severity scale.

1 reports · 1 sources

The French government, led by Sébastien Lecornu, transmitted its 2027 budget 'offprint' to Parliament on July 15, 2026, outlining spending caps for each ministry. The executive aims to continue fiscal consolidation, targeting a public deficit of 5% of GDP in 2026, though this goal appears difficult. Total state and operator spending is set at 708.4 billion euros for 2027, up from 683.3 billion in 2026. Spending growth will be significantly slower than inflation, constrained by rising debt service costs (12.3 billion euros increase) and the military programming law (6.4 billion euros increase). For non-defense and non-debt ministerial spending, the government intends to limit the increase to 0.4%, four times less than expected inflation in 2027.

1 reports · 1 sources

François-Noël Buffet, a Les Républicains senator proposed by President Emmanuel Macron for the position of Defender of Rights, faced heavy criticism from left-wing deputies during his hearing before the National Assembly's Law Commission on July 15, 2026. The nomination, which requires approval from both the National Assembly and Senate Law Commissions with a possible veto by three-fifths majority, has drawn opposition from over sixty associations and unions including Oxfam France, Médecins du Monde, SOS Racisme, and Inter-LGBT. Critics cite Buffet's past positions, including participation in protests against marriage equality and opposition to constitutionalizing abortion rights, as incompatible with the values of the Defender of Rights institution. The hearing was notably contentious, with Socialist deputy Hervé Saulignac questioning whether Buffet could transition from a 'man of power' to a 'man of counter-power.' Buffet would replace Claire Hédon, whose six-year non-renewable term ends July 21.

1 reports · 1 sources

Costa Rica’s incoming National Assembly is reviewing urgent legislation to impose prison sentences of up to ten years for individuals involved in illegal gold mining. The bill, introduced by former legislator Manuel Morales, aims to dismantle the supply chain by penalizing not only miners but also those providing logistics, fuel, or financing. Penalties are harshest for operations in indigenous territories and protected environmental zones. This legislative move addresses a deepening crisis in Crucitas, near the Nicaraguan border, where illegal mining has evolved into organized crime involving transnational trafficking. Mercury used in processing poses severe environmental and health risks. The proposal follows a Constitutional Court ruling condemning government failures to protect fundamental rights in affected areas and recent Penal Code modifications that classified illegal mining under organized crime laws. Despite previous reforms, authorities deem current measures insufficient to deter the industrialized criminal operations damaging Costa Rica’s ecosystems and undermining its reputation for environmental stewardship.

1 reports · 1 sources

Pakistan has successfully repatriated 11 Pakistani nationals and facilitated the return of 20 Iranian citizens who were detained aboard vessels seized by the United States in international waters. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that all 31 individuals arrived in good health via Singapore and Bangkok, expressing gratitude to the governments of Singapore, Thailand, Iran, and the United States for their cooperation in the complex logistical operation. The Iranian nationals are set to return to Iran following their arrival in Islamabad. In a separate domestic development, opposition lawmakers in Pakistan's National Assembly raised urgent alarms regarding the alleged deportation of thousands of Pakistani workers from the United Arab Emirates. PTI-backed lawmaker Shehryar Afridi criticized the interior minister's policies and called for mediated dialogue to improve relations with the UAE, emphasizing the economic importance of remittances. Afridi also addressed internal political tensions, urging the government to stop isolating PTI leaders and highlighting deteriorating security situations in certain provinces.

1 reports · 1 sources