The French parliament has begun debating an anti-terrorism bill designed to replace emergency measures in force since the Paris attacks nearly two years ago.<br /><br />It has brought fierce criticism from right and left but President Macron’s centrist government believes the current state of emergency – already extended six times – can’t be maintained indefinitely. <br /><br />Interior Minister Gerard Collomb told the National Assembly on Monday the aim was to end a situation that restricted individual freedoms, while passing into law anti-terrorist measures – setting a legal framework for powers such as those authorising police raids and confining people to house arrest. <br /><br />The government says since the start of the year, some 20 attacks have been planned: four have been carried out, four have failed, and 12 others have been foiled.<br /><br />In parliament the right-wing opposition attacked what it called a plan to “disarm the nation”, while the hard left has denounced it as “oppressive”.<br /><br />A first reading vote on the bill is due in the lower house next week.<br />
