Students build barricades in Paris

On October 6, high school students in Paris built barricades using pallets and trash bins at the entrance of their school, signaling growing tensions between students and the government over protest-related responsibilities.

Government introduces 'casseur-payeur' policy

The French government has introduced the "casseur-payeur" (breaker-payer) policy, which aims to make high school students who participated in protests responsible for paying compensation if damage occurs during demonstrations. This follows recent protests on October 8 and planned actions on October 13.

Policy allows liability for group actions

The "casseur-payeur" bill, initially created in response to violence at the Champions League final in May, introduces a system of collective responsibility. Under this system, individuals can be held liable for damages caused by a group, even if they personally did not commit the act.

Bill faces legal and political scrutiny

Critics argue the bill may discourage participation in demonstrations and could be challenged by the Constitutional Council. Lawyer Thibault Laforcade warned that environmental protests, often held in enclosed areas, may be the first to face consequences under the new law.

'Pollueur-payeur' principle in environmental law

The "pollueur-payeur" (polluter-payer) principle, a legal and economic concept in the French Environmental Code, requires polluters to cover the costs of pollution prevention and cleanup. However, industries often avoid these costs due to biased regulations.

Industries evade pollution costs

In practice, industries frequently escape the "pollueur-payeur" principle. For example, the state covers the cost of collecting green algae in Brittany, despite its link to agricultural activities. Similarly, industries responsible for water contamination from nitrates or PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are not held accountable for cleanup costs.

Legal challenges to 'pollueur-payeur'

In May 2026, environmental groups filed a lawsuit with the Paris administrative court to enforce the "pollueur-payeur" principle. Lawyer Emma Feyeux noted that industries emitting PFAS have delayed the implementation of a fee on these substances by influencing government decisions.

Delays and exemptions weaken the principle

Many sectors, including small decoration companies, avoid the "pollueur-payeur" principle by not paying for end-of-life product management. Even when new sectors are required to follow the principle, the government delays implementation. For example, professional packaging obligations will not take effect until January 1, 2027, one year after the original deadline.

Critics link policy to authoritarian trends

The government's focus on the "casseur-payeur" bill has drawn comparisons to authoritarian measures used by leaders like Viktor Orban in Hungary. Deputy Jean-Philippe Tanguy of the National Rally supported the policy, aligning it with Marine Le Pen's long-standing demands. Lawyer Thibault Laforcade warned that once such laws are passed, they are rarely revisited by future governments.