France, Oct. 23 -- The bill, known as the "rioters pay" law, was approved by the French government in mid-September.

Initially drawn up after violence broke out following Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League victory in late May, it is now being presented by the government as a response to violence seen during protests in several French cities last weekend.

The authorities put the cost of damage to shops and public buildings during these at several hundred million euros.

The Senate's law committee, dominated by an alliance of right-wing and centrist politicians, approved the bill on Wednesday this week. The parliamentary calendar has been rejigged to allow senators to debate the draft bill on 27 October.

Prime Minister Sebastien Leco...