French Senate weighs bill to make vandals pay for riot damages

The French Senate, controlled by the right, is examining a bill on Wednesday to make vandals pay for material damages caused by violence and riots, with the proposal expected before the National Assembly next Tuesday. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is meeting union representatives today to discuss securing upcoming weekend demonstrations and government responses to high school student demands, while curfews continue in cities like Marseille and Toulouse for a second night. Lecornu accused "far-left groups" of plotting insurrection and promised a heavy security deployment for Saturday's protests, following criticism over violence and looting during Saturday's demonstrations against the cost of living, which occurred six months before presidential elections.