France, the government wants to cut cheques and contributions to those responsible for looting

The French government has confirmed its intention to financially penalize individuals convicted of looting during recent street protests by deducting illicit gains from their state-provided social benefits. Housing Minister Vincent Jeanbrun announced on Monday that he will sign a circular with Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, enabling the state to reduce or withdraw specific aid payments from those found guilty of such acts. This measure targets unemployment benefits, housing allowances, family allowances, and the active solidarity income, known as RSA. The administration aims to offset these public funds against revenue generated by the sale of stolen goods seized during the demonstrations. Jeanbrun posted on the social network X that for vandals, looters, and thieves, social contributions have ended. He stated that anyone who destroys shops and fuels the underground economy will answer for their actions. The circular extends beyond immediate riot-related thefts. It applies to all forms of criminal activity that sustain the shadow economy, including drug trafficking, the sale of counterfeit products, and tobacco smuggling. The deduction mechanism calculates earnings derived from these illegal activities directly against the social assistance recipients receive. This approach does not constitute an automatic total revocation of all aid but links reductions specifically to proven illicit proceeds. This administrative step complements a broader legislative project titled "casser payeur," which translates to "the breaker pays." The Senate is scheduled to examine this bill at the end of the month. The proposed law establishes a new form of joint civil liability. This would allow authorities to impose collective fines on all participants in violent actions, not just the individual who broke property or started fires. The legislation also seeks to facilitate the seizure of repair costs directly from the family allowances and personal housing aids of those convicted of vandalism. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu declared that targeted curfews contributed to the relative calm observed overnight in French cities. He noted that these restrictions could be extended wherever the situation requires. The previous weekend saw clashes and looting that tested public forces and local authorities. However, the night following the announcement was quieter due to the imposed curfews. Despite this temporary respite, tensions remain high. Student unions and groups identifying as Yellow Vests have already announced new waves of demonstrations for Saturday. The unrest originated from secondary school students protesting declining standards and increasing degradation in education. These strikes evolved into nationwide anger fueled by rising prices and the perception that basic needs in healthcare, housing, and welfare are no longer being met. Simultaneously, some Yellow Vest groups organized protests against soaring fuel costs. The Yellow Vest movement, largely dormant in recent years, emerged in 2018 during President Emmanuel Macron’s first term in opposition to planned increases in gasoline taxes. For months, that earlier movement featured weekly road blocks and episodes of street violence. Major French trade unions, including the CGT, which often organizes large-scale marches, did not join the calls for protests this coming Saturday. Justice Minister Darmanin provided figures regarding the current enforcement response. He told the television channel CNews that 123 people detained over the weekend were currently held in custody awaiting trial. In a separate interview on Monday evening, he added that approximately 2,500 individuals remained in police custody for questioning. The political climate is tense ahead of presidential elections scheduled for April and May next year. Candidates from the extreme right and extreme left currently lead in polls. The ongoing unrest adds to the volatile atmosphere surrounding these upcoming votes. Student union UNEF distributed a flyer on social media promising to maintain pressure on President Macron and his government. The group described the educational system as collapsing and underfunded. They vowed to continue their campaign despite the government's new financial measures. The government views the new circular as an immediate application tool, according to reports by radio station RMC. It allows for swift action while the more complex "casser payeur" bill moves through the legislative process. The distinction between the two measures is clear. The circular handles existing benefit deductions based on proven criminal income, while the bill creates new legal frameworks for collective liability and asset seizure related to physical damage. Authorities emphasized that the calm achieved through curfews was necessary to manage the crisis. Lecornu indicated flexibility in applying these restrictions based on local conditions. The combination of economic penalties and potential legislative changes signals a hardline strategy by Paris. Officials aim to deter future violence by ensuring perpetrators face direct financial consequences. The scope includes both the immediate aftermath of the October 17 riots and broader categories of economic crime linked to social welfare fraud. The government asserts that public funds should not subsidize those who engage in destructive behavior. This policy shift marks a definitive change in how the state interacts with offenders receiving social support.