Verbal or physical, violence against elected officials has continued to increase in recent years. To the point of being chosen as the theme of the last Congress of Mayors, in November 2023. And of being at the heart of a proposed law, examined in the National Assembly this week.
Voted on first reading in the Senate, the text tabled by the senator of Rhône LR François-Noël Buffet provides, among other things, the alignment of the sanctions provided for in the event of violence against local elected officials with those which target the depositaries of public authority , like the police and gendarmes.
Heavier penalties
Thus, any individual convicted of acts of violence against elected officials which would cause an incapacity to work for more than eight days, could be sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment and 100,000 euros in fines. In addition, in the event of public insults, the bill provides for a penalty of community service, with an aggravating circumstance for cases of harassment, particularly online, when the victim holds an elective mandate. A system which has been extended to “contempts” in committee.
A toughening of sanctions described as “criminal escalation” by the rebels. The deputy Sébastien Rome, elected from Hérault, believes that we must first “tackle the causes of this violence” linked to a “democratic malaise”.
Legislation that is no longer suitable
Another flagship measure: the extension of the limitation period in cases of insults and public defamation, which goes from three months to one year. In committee, the deputies insisted that this measure applies both to victims holding an elective mandate and to those who are candidates for a mandate.
Current legislation is no longer adapted to the situation of political figures, on the front line facing incivility and violence. Local elected officials must be able to “ensure their dignity is respected,” argued Renaissance MP Violette Spillebout, rapporteur of the law.
Addressing the vocations crisis
The text also provides for improved support for elected officials who are victims of attacks or insults. On request, any local elected official with an executive mandate – like a mayor or a regional president – can thus be automatically granted “functional protection”. A right intended to protect public officials against any form of attack or violence.
Candidates for local or national elections will also be able to benefit from it. And be reimbursed by the State for any costs incurred for their security during the campaign. This, whatever the outcome of the vote.
New provisions which aim to respond to the vocations crisis which affects local politics. According to the latest figures from the Ministry of the Interior, which date from April, 1,293 mayors have resigned since the last municipal elections in June 2020. Last spring, the mayor of Saint-Brevin-les-Pins notably returned his scarf after death threats and the arson of his home and cars.
The Association of Mayors of France lists 1,959 defections among deputy mayors. The figures rise to 9,307 for advisors over the same period.
Towards a major reform of the status of local elected officials
This is why deputies from all sides are pleading for a major reform of the status of local elected officials. In order to cause “a real shock of attractiveness”. Northern MP Violette Spillebout notably indicated that she had tabled a bill with communist elected official Sébastien Jumel going in this direction.
Among the key measures of the text is the creation of a “citizen engagement allowance”: a sum paid to all municipal councilors without delegation, until now volunteers. The text could be examined during the next slot reserved for transpartisan texts, at the end of March.