French Senate takes up bill to repeal slavery-era Code Noir

The French Senate was scheduled to examine a bill repealing the Code Noir on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. The item was listed as the proposition de loi portant abrogation du « code noir », with group voting explanations followed by a solemn public ballot on the agenda for that sitting. French Senate

The Senate examination followed adoption by the National Assembly after engagement of the accelerated procedure. The bill, registered as text No. 672 and deposited on May 28, 2026, was adopted by the lower house by 254-0. AP

The Assembly vote was unanimous, 178 years after the abolition of slavery in the French colonies. Deputies on the Assembly's Law Commission had earlier voted unanimously in favor of the measure, which was sponsored by MP Max Mathiasin.

The Code Noir, also known as the Black Code, was originally a 1685 decree. The slavery-era laws repealed by the bill defined the legal status of enslaved people as "movable." Reuters

For the Senate sitting, Louis Vogel served as rapporteur for the examination. The Senate had scheduled public sessions for that Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. and in the evening, with 42 oral questions listed from 9:35 a.m. French Senate agenda