Parliament finally passes Ripost security law

Paris – 21 July 2026: The French Parliament has finally adopted the Ripost bill aimed at strengthening public security. The text was introduced by Interior Minister Laurent Nunez in March and combines numerous criminal and administrative measures targeting phenomena that the government believes affect everyday life and the public’s sense of security. Support came from the political centre, the conservative right and the Rassemblement National.

Ripost stands for immediate responses to incidents that disrupt public order, security and the peace of the population. Following an accelerated legislative procedure, the Senate first approved the draft on 26 May 2026. The National Assembly adopted an amended version on 15 July. A joint committee of deputies and senators reached agreement on a compromise text on 20 July.

A key section concerns the misuse of nitrous oxide, known as laughing gas. The provisions are intended to impose stricter penalties for its sale, possession, transport and use for intoxicating purposes. The government cites health damage and disruptions in public spaces. During the parliamentary process, there was also debate over whether the substance should legally be classified as a narcotic; this more far-reaching classification is not part of the core of the adopted law.

Further provisions target unauthorized music events, motorized races in public spaces and the misuse of fireworks. Reporting requirements and sanctioning options are being tightened for larger unauthorized music events. The law also expands the tools available to prefects and security authorities, including for the seizure of equipment. For the government, linking these individual areas of offences reflects an approach intended to respond quickly to recurring disturbances.

However, the text does not only include sanctions against individual conduct. It also contains provisions on occupied properties and furnished holiday accommodation, on the powers of municipal security personnel, and on police technical resources. Subject to legally defined conditions, these include body cameras, drones, video surveillance and automated licence plate recognition. This expansion of state powers was particularly controversial during the legislative process.

Left-wing and environmentalist deputies criticized the heterogeneous nature of the proposal and questioned whether adding new offences would effectively address the causes of everyday violence and crime. In a parliamentary question, deputy Alexis Corbiere pointed to possible infringements of individual freedoms, particularly through surveillance technology, administrative sanctions and changes to police procedures. The state’s human rights commissioner had also viewed certain provisions critically.

With its final adoption, the parliamentary procedure has been completed. Before entering into force, the constitutionally prescribed steps of promulgation and publication still remain. The practical impact will subsequently depend on implementing decrees, application by prefectures, police and the judiciary, as well as judicial oversight of individual measures. The law therefore primarily represents an expansion of the legal toolkit, rather than automatically ensuring its uniform implementation throughout the country.