In a reversal of the old saying the “Fifty million Frenchman can’t be wrong,” the National Assembly has added ‘honest mistakes’ to the Rights of Man, or at least to French administrative law.
The article was adopted last week as part of changes promised by Pres. Macron during his election campaign; it shields citizens from legal punishments or sanctions if they make a mistake in good faith in their dealings with authorities. Of course, you can’t keep making the same ‘mistake’ over and over.
Exact details remain to be worked out, as well as excepting issues such as public health. But for those confused over tax issues, or having the wrong permit, a new era’s at hand.
