France, July 20 -- The bill was introduced in March by Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, and aims to curb public order issues including violence in stadiums, illegal street races, fireworks and the recreational use of nitrous oxide.

Named "Ripost" - an acronym for "immediate response to phenomena that disturb public order, security and tranquility of our citizens" - the bill was approved by the Senate on 26 May, with the National Assembly approving a modified version on 15 July.

A total of 366 MPs voted in favour and 182 against, with the far right joining the government to push the text through against united opposition from the left.

The bill will now go to a joint parliamentary committee made up of senators and MPs, who will try...