The French National Assembly adopted the "simplification" bill on June 17, 2025, which includes the repeal of low-emission zones (Zones à Faibles Émissions, ZFE). Despite opposition from Macronist deputies who sought to preserve the ZFE, the bill passed, and a joint committee (Commission Mixte Paritaire, CMP) will work to reconcile the text between the two parliamentary chambers. Subsequently, the Parliament also definitively adopted the controversial agricultural law known as the Duplomb law on July 8, 2025. This legislation aims to ease regulatory constraints on farmers, including the conditional reintroduction of the pesticide acetamiprid, a neonicotinoid banned in France since 2018 but authorized at the European level. The Duplomb law has sparked intense debate and division within the Assembly, with critics denouncing it as a regression in environmental protection and an endorsement of agrochemical industry interests. Supporters argue it is necessary to boost domestic agricultural production and food sovereignty. Following the adoption, a citizen petition opposing the Duplomb law rapidly gained traction, surpassing one million signatures by July 20, 2025, marking an unprecedented level of public mobilization against the legislation. The petition calls for the immediate repeal of the law, reflecting widespread concern over the pesticide reintroduction and its environmental and health implications. The government has expressed openness to renewed debate on the issue. Additionally, the Parliament definitively approved reforms to the municipal election system in Paris, Lyon, and Marseille on July 10, 2025, aiming to enhance democratic transparency by allowing direct mayoral votes in these cities. Lastly, the Assembly adopted a programming law for the "refoundation" of Mayotte, which will undergo further parliamentary reconciliation before final adoption.
Loi Duplomb: "Un débat ne suffit pas, il faut l'abrogation de cette loi", déclare Sandrine Rousseau, députée "Les Écologistes" https://t.co/6nSqMqWabN
Can a French citizen's petition reverse the reintroduction of a banned pesticide? ➡️ https://t.co/NBNlWW80AC https://t.co/xuXOnsLoTw
Loi Duplomb: "Il y a un lynchage complet ces derniers jours", s'inquiète Sandra Marsaud, députée "Ensemble pour la République" https://t.co/C91vkMpRKN