The Senate adopted on Wednesday a bill aimed at strengthening the fight against illegal traveller settlements, by 235 votes to 101. The text, sponsored by centrist, Macronist and LR senators, is now sent to the National Assembly, where its inclusion on the agenda remains uncertain.
The proposal calls for a thorough reform of the so-called "Besson II" law, which has governed the accommodation of Travellers by local authorities since 2000. The senators who drafted the text believe this framework has become inadequate, given the number of illegal encampments recorded in recent years.
More powers for mayors and relaxed obligations for municipalities
The text strengthens the powers of mayors in the fight against illegal parking and notably provides for a doubling of the fine for setting up camp on land with the intention of building a dwelling. It also modifies the obligations linked to the departmental plan imposed on municipalities with more than 5,000 inhabitants, extending the compliance period from two to five years.
The government expressed overall support for the bill while raising reservations about certain measures, particularly those that would require the prefect to carry out a forced eviction after a formal notice, or that would allow the procedure to be initiated without a clear threat to public order. The left denounced what it considered an excessive tightening of the law and challenged several provisions.
