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Petition Against France’s Yadan Bill Tops 500,000 Signatures as Parties Break Ranks

The surge puts new pressure on lawmakers ahead of an uncertain April vote.

Overview

  • The citizen petition opposing the Yadan proposal passed 500,000 signatures Tuesday, allowing Assembly leaders to consider a non‑binding debate on the petition itself.
  • The Socialist group said Tuesday it will vote against the bill and MoDem called for a temporary withdrawal, shifting the balance that had been narrow in committee.
  • The government still backs the text, which remains set for examination on April 16–17 in the National Assembly, and any petition debate would be separate and without a vote.
  • The bill would punish implicit praise or provocation of terrorism and create a crime for calling for the destruction or negation of a state, with penalties up to five years in prison and a €75,000 fine.
  • Five UN special rapporteurs urged France to oppose the draft, and critics warn it could conflate criticism of Israel with antisemitism and chill pro‑Palestinian speech.