Overview

• The Senate approved the first-reading “Olympic law” on June 24 to streamline organisation of the Games across Savoie, Haute-Savoie, Briançonnais and Côte d’Azur.
• The legislation authorises exceptions to urban planning rules, including a suspension of zero net land artificialisation requirements and expedited expropriations for venues.
• Security provisions permit algorithmic video surveillance until 2027, a permanent ban on appearances at major events for certain individuals and expanded private security powers.
• Modelled on the Paris 2024 framework, the law secured broad senatorial support but drew criticism from ecologists and civil liberties advocates over environmental and democratic impacts.
• An article allowing regional governments to guarantee funding for the organising committee was removed as premature, and the full text heads to the National Assembly after the summer break.