France and Spain advance controversial legislative measures

In France, the government is moving forward with the ‘casseurs-payeurs’ (rioters-pay) bill, which is scheduled for Senate examination on October 27, 2026. The proposed legislation establishes a regime of joint civil liability for individuals participating in violent gatherings that cause damage. Under this law, parents could be held financially responsible for their minor children. In cases of insolvency, the government may seek to seize up to 10,000 euros from certain social benefits, a move the Conseil d’État has noted as a significant innovation since social allocations are typically unseizable.

In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced plans to present two new decree-laws regarding housing to a special parliamentary commission. This move follows the dissolution of Parliament and precedes early elections scheduled for late November. The measures aim to protect tenants and facilitate access to affordable rentals and homeownership, including interest-free loans of up to 50,000 euros for first-time buyers. By utilizing a special commission of 69 deputies rather than the full 350-member chamber, the government seeks to bypass a blocking minority and secure support from smaller parties, such as the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV).