France's Constitutional Council validates key parts of law against free parties, nitrous oxide

France's Constitutional Council has approved the majority of a law designed to curb "free parties" and the use of nitrous oxide, often called "protoxyde d’azote." The ruling, issued Friday, validates key measures aimed at restoring public order and addressing nuisances associated with large, unauthorized gatherings.

However, the council did strike down seven specific provisions. These included measures for the administrative closure of businesses that sell pyrotechnic equipment and the widespread use of pseudonymization for agents involved in judicial investigations. These deletions signal a judicial check on the executive's broader powers.

The law's validated sections target various aspects of public disorder. They include measures against the proliferation of "free parties," which often involve loud music and drug use, and restrictions on the sale and use of nitrous oxide, a substance increasingly linked to recreational drug use. The government has framed these measures as necessary to ensure public safety and tranquility.