Bill to Strengthen the Fight Against Illegal Settlements by Travellers

This French legislative proposal aims to tighten enforcement against illegal settlements by Travellers (gens du voyage) on public and private land. It streamlines the administrative process for issuing formal notices to vacate unlawfully occupied plots, reducing bureaucratic delays that have historically hampered rapid evictions. The bill also expands the legal grounds for forced evacuations, allowing authorities to act more swiftly without lengthy court proceedings in certain circumstances. Existing procedural bottlenecks — such as waiting periods and multi-step administrative reviews — would be reduced or eliminated. On the penalty side, the proposal introduces a fixed-amount criminal fine (amende forfaitaire délictuelle) for illegal occupation, replacing or supplementing the current discretionary fine system. It also introduces vehicle confiscation as an additional sanction, targeting the primary assets associated with nomadic lifestyles. Critics argue the bill disproportionately targets an already marginalized ethnic minority, while supporters frame it as a property rights and public order measure. The proposal reflects a recurring political debate in France over the balance between Traveller rights and local authorities' powers.

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