French lawmakers approve fifth extension of President’s special security powers first put in place after the Paris attacks that killed 130 people

State of emergency in France from CBC News

The Parliament of France has approved the fifth extension of President Francois Hollande’s special emergency security powers first given to the President of France in the wake of the Paris attacks in November 2015. The vote in the National Assembly passed 288 to 32 with only the Left Front, some ecologists, and a group of centre-right Republicans opposing the measure. This is the longest uninterrupted state of emergency imposed in France since the 1960s and the war in Algeria and the extension will extend through the republic’s presidential season April through June of next year. Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux stresses that France still faces the danger of a terrorist attack and commented, “the intense electoral period we are entering increases the risk of further terrorist acts.” The extension will allow the new president to decide whether or not further extension of the state of emergency is necessary. Francois Hollande will not seek re-election.

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[ The Guardian – French parliament votes to extend state of emergency until after 2017 elections ]
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