Parliament approves RIPOST security law by a broad majority

Paris – 15.07.2026: The National Assembly passed the RIPOST bill on internal security at first reading with 366 votes in favour and 182 against. The bill had previously also been approved by the Senate. A joint committee of members of parliament and senators must now draw up a common text. Only then can the new law be formally adopted.

RIPOST is an acronym for immediate responses to phenomena affecting public order, security and citizens’ peace. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has grouped 33 provisions relating to very different areas of offences under it. The focus is on faster and stricter enforcement, which, according to the government, places considerable pressure on the police, judiciary and administrative authorities in everyday life.

One of the most important provisions is the creation of a new offence for inhaling nitrous oxide outside a medical context. The substance, known as laughing gas, is misused for its intoxicating effects. In addition, local and state authorities will be able to take action against shops selling firework mortars in violation of current regulations. Penalties for transporting or possessing them without authorisation will also be tightened.

Members of parliament also reinstated provisions against illegal free techno parties, which had initially been removed in the Law Committee. In future, not only organisers but, under certain conditions, participants may also face criminal prosecution. The government cites risks to residents, property owners and emergency services. Critics argue that this expands criminal intervention into cultural gatherings.

Combating illegal motorcycle racing in public spaces also remains a central part of the text. The bill provides, among other things, for simplified sanctions through fixed fines. In addition, the law includes provisions on drugs, illegal occupation of housing, private security, organised crime and technical tools for security authorities. The bill thus combines measures concerning public order policy, criminal law and administrative law in a single legislative proposal.

Politically, the majority was achieved through the votes of the government camp and the Rassemblement National. The left-wing alliance voted against it. Socialist MP Roger Vicot accused the Interior Minister of moving away from his previous political positions with this bill. Even the Rassemblement National described the text as incomplete, but nevertheless supported it in the name of a tougher security policy.

Not every government proposal received a majority. The National Assembly did not reinstate plans to expand stadium bans through administrative procedures; this provision was also controversial among right-wing MPs because of the potential infringement of fundamental rights. Increasing fixed fines for drug use also failed. However, during the second reading, parliament decided to record the corresponding fines in extract number two of the criminal record.