France's National Assembly adopted on Tuesday a bill extending administrative detention of dangerous irregular foreigners up to seven months. Backed from the center to the nationalist right, the bill led by Charles Rodwell passed with 345 votes against 177 from the left. It also includes anti-terrorism measures and heads to the Senate on May 20.
Deputies approved the bill from Charles Rodwell (Renaissance), backed by the government. Three weeks after heated debates, it passed with 345 votes from the center to Rassemblement national against 177 from the left. Before the solemn vote, they reinstated a key provision dropped mid-April, extending detention to 210 days for foreigners under OQTF, sentenced to at least three years in prison for crimes against persons and posing a serious threat to public order.
The bill addresses a Constitutional Council ruling last summer that struck down a similar measure as disproportionate. Lawmakers reworked it more restrictively, affecting «only a few dozen people per year», per Charles Rodwell. Pushed by Bruno Retailleau (LR), it stems from the 2024 murder of student Philippine by a suspect under OQTF just released from detention.
The text also bolsters anti-terrorism tools, with a psychiatric component. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu hailed «a complete and operational text». Bruno Retailleau welcomed a «major step». It goes to the Senate for review on May 20.
