France Extends Emergency Law as Terrorist Threat Remains High

  • Risks heightened ahead of 2017 elections, prime minister says
  • Emergency law was imposed after last year’s Paris attacks
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The French government will extend until July 15 the emergency anti-terrorism measures due to expire at the end of January, as threats persist and may intensify in the run-up to next year’s presidential election, Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said after a special cabinet meeting.

The state of emergency is “essential” and has proven efficient in thwarting attacks, he told reporters in Paris on Saturday. The terrorism threat risk remains at a “high level,” he said, and risks may increase as candidates campaign for office.