Parliament gives final approval to the “Ripost” security law

Paris – July 21, 2026: The French Parliament has finally passed the Ripost bill, aimed at strengthening public safety. The bill was introduced in March by Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez and combines numerous measures under criminal and administrative law targeting incidents the government considers detrimental to everyday life and the sense of security. It received support from the political center, the conservative right, and the National Rally.

Ripost refers to an immediate response to situations that disrupt public order, safety, and residents’ peace. Following a fast-track legislative procedure, the Senate approved the bill for the first time on May 26, 2026. The National Assembly passed the amended bill on July 15. On July 20, a joint parity committee composed of deputies and senators agreed on a compromise text.

One of the central elements concerns the misuse of nitrous oxide, known as laughing gas. The provision aims to tighten penalties for its sale, possession, transport, and use for intoxication purposes. The government points to health risks and negative effects on public spaces. Parliamentary debates also addressed whether the substance should legally be classified in the same way as narcotics, but such a more far-reaching classification is not part of the core of the adopted law.

Other provisions target unauthorized music events, vehicle racing in public spaces, and the improper use of fireworks. For large unauthorized music events, notification and sanctioning mechanisms will be strengthened. The law also expands the powers of prefects and security authorities, including with regard to the seizure of equipment. For the government, linking these individual areas of violations reflects an approach aimed at responding quickly to recurring disturbances.

However, the bill does not include only sanctions for individual acts. It also contains provisions concerning occupied properties and furnished holiday accommodation, the powers of municipal security officers, and police technical tools. These include body cameras, drones, video surveillance, and automatic license plate recognition under conditions defined by law. This expansion of state means of action was particularly controversial during the legislative process.

Left-wing and environmentalist deputies criticized the bill’s heterogeneous composition and questioned whether creating additional criminal offenses effectively addresses the causes of everyday violence and crime. In a parliamentary question, deputy Alexis Corbière referred in particular to the potential infringement of individual civil liberties through surveillance technologies, administrative sanctions, and changes to police procedures. The Defender of Rights had also critically assessed some provisions.

With final adoption, the parliamentary procedure has been completed. Before it enters into force, the constitutionally prescribed procedures of certification and promulgation are still required. Its practical effects will subsequently depend on implementing regulations, application by prefectures, police, and the judiciary, as well as judicial review of individual measures. The law therefore does not automatically mean uniform implementation across the country, but primarily represents an expansion of legal instruments.