A state of emergency was introduced across France immediately after the November 13th terrorist attacks in the capital that left 130 people dead. Parliament has supported an extension of the original 12-day state of emergency declared by President Francois Hollande for three months following the tragic events over threats of new terrorism acts.
The current state of emergency is based on a law and is not described in the constitution, which the newly proposed amendments are to change. The proposed measures will extend powers of house arrest for six months after a state of emergency expires, according to AFP.
The change of constitution requires a two-thirds vote in the parliament in support of the proposals. Members of the national parliament were reportedly scheduled to review the amendments on Thursday.
According to French prime minister, over 2,000 searches have been carried out in France since the introduction of a state of emergency following the Paris attacks.
France's state of emergency includes the possibility for police raids to take place at any point without a warrant; the seizure of digital equipment suspected of containing information by police at any moment and the detention of people whose "behavior can seriously be considered a threat to security and public order.
