French President Emmanuel Macron said he will ask the country’s parliament to extend its state of emergency until November 1 following the May 22 bombing of an arena in Manchester, England.
France24 reported that Macron also asked the government to draft legislation to reinforce some security measures permanently.
If approved, it will be the sixth extension of the state of the emergency laws first enacted after the November 2015 Islamic State attacks in Paris.
Macron said on May 24 that the decision was made after officials “studied the implications of [the Manchester attack] on measures of protection to ensure the security of our compatriots.”
Extended government powers
France’s state of emergency (or etat d’urgence) gives authorities the power to set curfews, limit the movement of people, forbid mass gatherings, establish secure zones where people can be monitored, and close public spaces.
Police can also conduct searches at any time without judicial oversight, enforce house arrest, and confiscate certain weapons even if they’re legally held.
