French Parliament Reaches Agreement on Sweeping Anti-Narcotraffic Law

The finalized proposal, set for votes later this month, introduces judicial reforms and strict measures but faces criticism over civil liberties and neglect of root causes.

A parliamentary commission has finalized a compromise on a major anti-narcotraffic law, with final votes scheduled for April 28 in the Senate and April 29 in the National Assembly.
The law proposes the creation of the National Anti-Crime Prosecution Office (Pnaco) to handle serious organized crime cases starting January 2026.
Contentious measures include a high-security incarceration regime and restricted access to certain investigative information, raising concerns about potential civil liberties violations.
Critics, including the Collectif pour une nouvelle politique des drogues (CNPD), argue the law fails to address the social and economic drivers of drug trafficking and relies too heavily on punitive approaches.
While broadly supported across Parliament, the law faces opposition from France insoumise and rights groups over its repressive focus and potential rights infringements.