France to remain in a state of emergency

A vote on 6 July was supported by 137 and countered by 13.

The state of emergency has existed since the terrorist attacks of 13 November 2015. This is the sixth time the assemblée has prolonged the situation, but it should be the last.

This is because the government plans to make certain elements of the emergency state part of the normal law, as part of its ‘antiterrorist law project’ (projet de loi antiterroriste).

The assemblée will debate the bill in September, with the final decision expected in October.

The main body of this will include ‘périmètres de protection’ - or safeguarding - around certain vulnerable or problem areas, to make it easier to shut them down in the event of an incident.

The new laws may also make it easier for the interior minister Gérard Collomb (ministre de l'Intérieur, the equivalent term for home secretary in the UK) to search certain areas if it is deemed necessary.

To do so, the minister will need approval from the magistrate - thejuge des libertés et de la détention, which intervenes in any case where a French citizen’s rights and liberties may be at stake, and has the power to decide how long someone can be held before being charged.

In a statement on the extension of the current state of emergency, Collomb said: “I will [always] try to bring our society together, because that is how will move forward. Faced with such a serious subject, it is good that we show - even in our own diversity - that we are united, and that we will always say ‘no’ to terrorists.”