Before the state of emergency, such decisions would be made by a judge. Lifting the state of emergency has become politically fraught, but leaving it in place indefinitely would raise questions about France’s commitment to democracy. Britain, Germany and the United States have all tightened their laws and expanded state powers relative to individual rights. Many French have not suffered ill consequences from it, and they fear any retreat from the emergency measures will leave them more vulnerable. In those surveys, he said, many French have been supportive of the state of emergency and the new legislation.

Source: New York Times October 03, 2017 23:40 UTC