French lawmakers are expected to finalize today a law aimed at strengthening legislative arsenal against foreign interference, amid rising tensions over the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, reported France Press, quoted by BTA.
These provisions are "vital and necessary, given that the reality and danger of foreign interference in our country has been proven”, emphasizes one of the authors of the bill - MP Constance Le Grip from the party of President Emmanuel Macron.
Le Grip cited the cases of the Star of David painted on walls in the Ile-de-France region, the red hands painted on the Holocaust memorial, and the “fake coffins" located at the foot of the Eiffel Tower on Saturday. The suspicions are that Moscow is behind these acts of destabilization.
The bill provides for the creation of a national registry of influence, a procedure for freezing financial assets and an experimental strengthening of the fight against interference through algorithmic surveillance, which now applies only to the fight against terrorism.
Representatives of foreign interests who lobby in France, and in particular those in elected office, will be required to register in a national register, with penalties imposed on violators.
The bill refers to “natural or legal persons” who would try to "influence public decisions” or French public policies, for example by contacting members of parliament, ministers, some representatives of local authorities or even former presidents of the country.
Foreign entities considered as potential guarantors will be companies controlled by countries, political parties outside the EU or foreign powers themselves, outside the European Union.
The text also provides for the freezing of the financial assets of individuals, companies or organizations carrying out actions constituting interference.
The register, managed by the High Authority for the Transparency of Public Life (HATVP), will start functioning on July 1, 2025, so that in the time until then the institution will secure sufficient funds and teams.
The bill was proposed by the parliamentary intelligence delegation.
"I fear that there is still a certain amount of naivety in public opinion“ on the issue of interventions, said Le Grip, who is a member of that delegation, while welcoming the presence of "some awareness"
The Senate passed the bill on Monday after an agreement on the final version between deputies and senators. Now the text proposed by President Emmanuel Macron's majority is expected to clear the final hurdle - the lower house - four days before European elections.