Archive · 10 Dec 2025
Far-Right Pushes to Reopen Brothels in France
Some politicians in France and Italy want to reopen brothels.
In France, a far-right party called the National Rally wants to let sex workers run their own brothels.
They say this will make things safer and stop illegal activities.
Brothels were banned in France in 1946, but now some people think it's time to change the rules.
In Italy, some politicians also want to regulate prostitution.
In Belgium, sex work is already legal, and workers get benefits like sick leave and pensions.
Some people support these ideas, while others think it's a bad idea.
Marine Le Pen’s National Rally in France plans to submit a bill allowing sex workers to run brothels.
The proposal aims to provide a legal, regulated avenue for sex work and improve safety.
Brothels were banned in France in 1946 under the Marthe Richard law.
Similar debates are ongoing in Italy, with politicians advocating for regulated prostitution.
Belgium has decriminalized sex work and offers labor protections to sex workers.
- Who
- Marine Le Pen’s National Rally in France and Giorgia Meloni’s coalition in Italy
- What
- Proposal to reopen brothels and regulate prostitution
- When
- Ongoing debate, bill to be submitted soon
- Where
- France and Italy, with Belgium having already decriminalized sex work
- Why
- To provide a legal, regulated avenue for sex work, improve safety, and reduce illegal sex trade
- Bill Proposer
- Jean-Philippe Tanguy
- Party
- National Rally
- Current Law
- Prostitution legal, clients fined
- Brothels Ban Year
- 1946
- Fine for Clients
- €1,500
- Brothels in Paris (pre-ban)
- 195
- Total Brothels in France (pre-ban)
- 1,400
- Similar Debate in
- Italy, Belgium