Xavier Albertini, a deputy from Marne, announced on April 4, 2025, the withdrawal of his proposed law aimed at reforming the reception of travelers in France. This decision came just a day before the law was scheduled to be examined by deputies at the National Assembly, following its adoption in committee. The proposed law was set to be part of the parliamentary niche for the Horizons & Independents group, a time allocated for parliamentary groups to prioritize their texts from 9:00 AM to midnight.
In his statement, Albertini expressed frustration, noting that the opportunity to address his proposal only arose at 21:45, leaving little time for discussion. He pointed out that a staggering 85 amendments had been submitted by various parliamentary groups, with 40 of those coming from La France Insoumise. Given that there were only 2 hours and 15 minutes available to examine these amendments, Albertini deemed it impossible to adequately address them all. Consequently, he made the responsible decision to withdraw his text.
In his communication, Albertini condemned what he referred to as a "maneuver of assumed parliamentary obstruction." He reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to balancing respect for the way of life of travelers with public tranquility. He indicated that his efforts would continue through a working group initiated by the Ministry of the Interior, along with the submission of a new cross-party proposal in the future.
Despite the setback, Albertini remains determined to pursue his work on this issue, which he has been tackling for the past two years in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior. He lamented that the topic of travelers has not been adequately addressed in the National Assembly since 2017 and 2018. Albertini emphasized the importance of updating the departmental schemes outlined in the Besson II law and evolving the strategies for addressing illegal occupation zones.
Reflecting on the situation, he expressed disappointment over the missed opportunities that the proposed law could have facilitated. He noted that there is often a stigma attached to the traveler community, with an amalgamation of those who respect designated areas and those who do not. This, he warned, could lead to tensions and even violence, particularly when property rights are threatened or when local authorities oppose the establishment of caravans on community land.
As the parliamentary niche allowed for specific texts to be proposed once a year, Albertini's group had hoped to push through five texts during this session. However, the process was hampered by what he described as "embolization" by certain deputies, which delayed the discussion. By the time he was able to present his proposal at 21:15, he had only 2 hours and 45 minutes left to discuss the general points and review the 85 amendments.
Looking ahead, Albertini plans to reintroduce the text during a cross-party week, with hopes of reworking it collaboratively. He aims to have it ready by June, or at the latest, by the start of the next parliamentary session. He reiterated the urgency of addressing these issues, warning that delays could exacerbate existing tensions and lead to severe consequences for both the traveler community and local residents.
Albertini's commitment to this cause is evident as he navigates the complexities of legislative processes while striving to find a balanced approach that respects both the rights of travelers and the concerns of local communities. His determination to keep this issue alive in the political discourse reflects a broader recognition of the need for thoughtful and inclusive solutions to longstanding social challenges.
In conclusion, while the withdrawal of the proposed law marks a temporary setback, it also opens the door for further dialogue and collaboration among lawmakers. Albertini's ongoing efforts signal a commitment to ensuring that the voices of all stakeholders are heard in the pursuit of a fair and effective legislative framework for the reception of travelers in France.
