French lawmakers passed a significant bill on Monday that simplifies the process for returning artworks looted during the colonial era to their countries of origin. This legislation, which received unanimous approval from both the National Assembly and the Senate, specifically addresses items acquired between 1815 and 1972. President Emmanuel Macron has made the return of cultural artifacts a political priority, acknowledging past French abuses in Africa. The bill aims to streamline the restitution process, as current laws require individual votes for each item in the national collection. France has faced numerous demands for the return of cultural items from countries such as Algeria, Mali, and Benin. In a notable instance, a talking drum taken from the Ebrie tribe in Ivory Coast was returned earlier this year. However, the bill has sparked political debate, with some parties advocating for broader restitution and others seeking to limit returns based on diplomatic relations.