La France Insoumise had a key article removed on Friday from the child protection bill. The measure proposed life imprisonment for serial rapes of minors under 15.
LFI deputy Gabrielle Cathala justified the stance by citing Robert Badinter. She stated that the absence of prospects did not encourage the convicted person to improve or facilitate reintegration.
Left and green groups voted to remove the article. They viewed the bill as overly focused on repression and lacking in recidivism prevention.
Centre and right-wing lawmakers expressed indignation. Renaissance senator Xavier Iacovelli argued that children needed protection rather than posturing. LR MEP François-Xavier Bellamy called the move “absolute madness”.
Minister Aurore Bergé announced a new vote on Tuesday. She referenced the case of Joël Le Scouarnec, sentenced to twenty years for 299 rapes of minors.
