The French National Assembly has voted 291 to 241 to approve a bill establishing the right to assisted dying, marking a significant milestone after years of parliamentary gridlock and intense national debate. While the vote represents a major step forward for the legislation, the path to it becoming law remains complex. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has indicated he will refer several provisions of the bill to the Constitutional Council for a formal review before the process can be finalized.
Under the proposed legislation, assisted dying would be available to French adults suffering from a serious and incurable life-threatening illness that is in an advanced or terminal stage. To qualify, a patient must be experiencing constant physical or psychological suffering that is deemed unbearable or resistant to medical treatment. The process requires the patient to freely manifest their intention to a doctor, who will then conduct a consultation before making a decision within 15 days. Following a mandatory two-day reflection period, the patient must administer the lethal substance themselves. If they are physically unable to do so, a doctor or nurse may perform the procedure, with the physician required to verify the patient's decision on the day it is carried out.
The issue has been highly contentious in France, drawing vocal opposition from the Catholic Church and various segments of the medical community. Although the National Assembly has backed the measure four times, the Senate—which is controlled by right-wing parties—has repeatedly rejected it. Despite this political friction, public opinion polls consistently show that a large majority of French citizens support providing terminally ill individuals with the choice between palliative care and assisted dying. President Emmanuel Macron has long expressed support for end-of-life legislation, though his decision to call for snap elections two years ago significantly delayed the bill's progression.
Prime Minister Lecornu has expressed personal reservations regarding the terms of the bill. In a statement released before the vote, his office noted that while the lower house had debated the matter extensively, the Senate had not been provided with sufficient scrutiny to address both the supporters' aspirations and the concerns of those worried about implementation. Consequently, Lecornu has asked the nine-member Constitutional Council to evaluate three specific areas: the two-day reflection period, which some critics argue is too brief; the ability of patients under legal protection to provide free and informed consent; and the role of palliative care facilities in providing assisted dying services.
France’s move aligns it with a growing trend in Europe. The Netherlands and Belgium legalized assisted dying in 2002 for those suffering from incurable illnesses, and Switzerland has long permitted assisted suicide under specific conditions. Meanwhile, the debate remains active elsewhere, with a similar bill in the UK having stalled earlier this year, though it is expected to return to Parliament in September.
