The British daily The Guardian reported on the 25th (local time) that backlash from labor unions and left-wing factions is growing as the French government rushes to legislate a bill that holds individuals liable for looting and property damage occurring during protests, even if they did not directly participate in the acts.

According to the report, the French Senate is reviewing the "vandals pay law" this week, which the administration of Emmanuel Macron is pushing for expedited processing.

The bill stipulates that individuals who were in the same group as those who destroyed property or continued to protest nearby can be held liable for up to 10,000 euros—about 15 million won—even if they did not personally cause the damage.

This bill was initially drafted following violent incidents that broke out after Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defeated Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League last May.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated that the law is "absolutely necessary" as looting and arson have continued across nationwide protests.

Left-wing factions and labor unions have strongly protested.

Éric Coquerel, a lawmaker from the left-wing party La France Insoumise (LFI), criticized that the law signifies "the end of street protests," and Communist Party Senator Fabien Gay also expressed concern that "protests will never be held in this country again."

Left-wing labor unions and the Human Rights League of France called for the withdrawal of the bill in an open letter sent to the French daily Le Monde, stating that it is "a serious assault on the freedom to protest."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)