France’s parliament passes security bill increasing police powers

Parliament votes for bill despite criticisms from activists who say it threatens efforts to denounce police abuse.

France’s parliament passed a security bill on Thursday to extend police powers despite criticism from civil rights activists who fear it threatens efforts to denounce police abuse. The bill was approved 75 votes for to 33 against at the National Assembly, where French President Emmanuel Macron’s party, which proposed the measure, has a large majority. The Senate has already adopted the bill. “Policemen and gendarmes are the republic’s children and they must be protected because they protect us every day,” French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said following the vote.