Poll: 85% of French people support the "rioters pay" bill

The student protests in France have led to widespread damage to schools in numerous cities. In response to this significant damage, a CSA Institute poll for CNEWS, Europe 1, and the JDD, published this Friday, reveals that 85% of French people support the "vandals pay" bill.

"You break it, you fix it," said Gabriel Attal in January 2024. A maxim that resonates today with the results of the survey* by the CSA Institute for CNEWS, Europe 1 and the JDD published on October 9, which indicates that 85% of French people are in favor of a "breakers pay" bill.

This so-called "rioters-pay" bill, drawn up in the wake of the violence that occurred after PSG's second European title at the end of May, is back in the spotlight with the damage and scenes of violence that have marred the high school student movement.

The text, which provides for making those who caused the damage pay, is due to be examined in its first reading on October 27 before the Senate.

A very high level of severity among the youngest children

In the details of this study, 86% of women said they were in favour of adopting this "breakers-pays" bill, compared to 84% of their male counterparts (-2 points).

Regarding the age of respondents, the survey highlights that the youngest (18-24 years old) are the most severe, since 89% of them approve of the government's text, which is 9 points more than for the 25-34 year olds (80%) and 4 points more than for the 35-49 year olds (85%).

Although often far apart in their opinions due to their generational gap, the 18-24 year olds and the 50-64 year olds (88%) have very similar rates of support for the text, with only 1 point difference.

From the point of view of socio-professional categories, the results show that 87% of respondents belonging to the lower socio-professional categories are in favor of the adoption of the "breakers-pays" bill, compared to 84% for the higher socio-professional categories and the inactive.

Renaissance is breaking with its usual practices

On the political front, the results show a clear blurring of the traditional divide between left and right, revealing a broad consensus on the issue of the "rioters-pays" bill.

Indeed, only supporters of La France Insoumise (49%) do not overwhelmingly support it. Conversely, their allies and former allies in the Greens and the Socialist Party are largely in favor of the text, with 82% and 87% support respectively.

On the right of the political spectrum, support for the bill is almost total, with 93% of respondents claiming to be Republicans saying they are in favor and 96% of those from the National Rally.

Finally, 98% of respondents close to the presidential party, Renaissance, support the government's bill aimed at making rioters and their accomplices pay.

*Survey conducted on October 8 and 9 via online self-administered questionnaire on a nationally representative sample of 1,014 people aged over 18, using the quota method.