France has passed a new law to bolster the country’s legislative measures against foreign interference, as tensions continue to rise due to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
Four days ahead of the European elections on June 9, the proposed legislation, championed by President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party, was approved in the National Assembly with a significant majority of 138 votes in favor and 10 against.
The new law mandates the creation of a national influence registry, introduces measures to freeze financial assets, and enhances the monitoring of foreign interference through algorithms currently used for counter-terrorism.
Constance Le Grip, a member of Macron’s party and one of the lawmakers behind the proposal, emphasized the necessity of these measures.
She stated that they are essential and urgent given the proven and serious nature of foreign interventions in France.
Under the new law, representatives of foreign interests engaging in lobbying activities in France will be required to register in a national database.
Those who fail to comply will face a range of criminal penalties.
The law targets both individuals and entities attempting to influence public decision-making or official French policies.
This includes interactions with parliamentarians, ministers, certain local elected officials, or former presidents.
Foreign entities identified as attempting to exert such influence may include state-controlled companies, political parties from outside the European Union, or non-EU countries themselves.
Additionally, the law allows for the freezing of financial assets belonging to individuals, companies, or entities involved in interference activities.
The registry will be overseen by the High Authority for Transparency in Public Life, and it is set to become operational on July 1, 2025.
This lead time is intended to ensure that the authority is adequately funded and staffed to carry out its responsibilities effectively.
