Rejected a few days earlier by a more left-leaning Assembly, the provision was finally adopted after particularly intense debate amid persistent disagreement over its effectiveness in combating child sexual abuse.
Published 07/21/2026 21:53.
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Parliamentary session of the National Assembly in Paris, July 21, 2026. (JOSE BUZAS/HANS LUCAS/AFP)
On Tuesday, July 21, in a new vote called ahead of the vote on the entire child protection bill, MPs approved the introduction of life imprisonment for those responsible for serial rape of minors under the age of 15. The measure, contested by much of the House and supported by the government following the Lianna affair, was ultimately passed by a vote of 258 to 84.
On Friday, the more mobilized left in the House rejected it, condemning the repressive provision intended to mask the inadequacy of resources allocated to investigations as well as to the prevention of sexual violence. Again on Tuesday, discussions around this measure were particularly heated.
LFI co-rapporteur Marianne Maximi condemned attacks on social media she was targeted over the weekend, as well as accusations aimed at making people believe that left-wing groups will “support for child criminals”. The latter defended once again “sequence of the scale of punishment”emphasizing that this provision is not required by victims’ associations condemning “smoke screen”.
Socialist Florence Hérouin-Lothe added: “Instead of another sleight of hand with a high risk of unconstitutionality, perhaps you could recognize that this is an additional remedy that our judicial system and our investigative services need to protect victims and end impunity?”.
This position is shared by the Independent Commission on Incest and Child Sexual Abuse (Civise), which recalled in a press release on Tuesday. “only 3% of attackers (1% in cases of incest) are currently sentenced, although the sentences handed down to them are already severe.”. The Commission further considers “The deterioration of the law is a futile intention unless it is accompanied by means of its implementation.”
On the part of the defenders of this measure we reject any “criminal price gouging” : “For us it is about punishing what we consider the most serious crime (…)”– says Emily Bonnivard (LR). “Your priority is to prepare the predators to escape, ours is to make sure no child crosses their path again.”sent RN MP Sophie Blanc to the left.