The French National Assembly voted on Wednesday to approve a bill establishing the right to assisted dying for adults suffering from incurable diseases. The lower house of parliament passed the legislation with 291 votes in favor and 241 against, marking a significant step in a legislative journey that supporters described as a 14-year struggle.
The move fulfills a 2022 campaign promise made by President Emmanuel Macron. While the bill has cleared the National Assembly, it faces further scrutiny as Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has requested that the Constitutional Council of France examine the legislation. This body holds the authority to declare the law, or parts of it, invalid.
Strict Conditions for Eligibility
The legislation outlines specific criteria for individuals seeking to end their lives. Access is restricted to French citizens or legal residents who are adults and suffering from a serious, incurable condition that is in an advanced or terminal stage. Patients must be capable of expressing a free and informed choice.
Furthermore, the patient must be experiencing constant physical or psychological suffering linked to their condition that is resistant to treatment or considered insupportable. This includes cases where a patient chooses to refuse or discontinue medical treatment. The procedure requires a formal request to a physician, who evaluates eligibility alongside other health professionals. If approved, the patient must confirm their decision after a minimum two-day reflection period.
Patients retain the right to withdraw their request at any time. If the request is cleared, the patient is generally required to self-administer the lethal substance. However, if a patient is physically incapacitated and unable to perform the act, a doctor or nurse may administer it. Health professionals retain the right to refuse participation in the procedure, though they are obligated to provide the patient with the names of other professionals willing to assist.
A Polarized Legislative Path
The bill’s path to approval was described by relator Olivier Falorni as a “marathon of obstacles.” The proposal previously faced rejection in the Senate, where the conservative Republican party holds a majority. Under the French Constitution, the government moved to grant the lower house the final say on the matter.
Supporters, such as deputy and former Health Minister Agnes Firmin Le Bodo, argue that the legislation is “balanced.” Proponents, including the Association for the Right to Die with Dignity (ADMD), suggest the law provides necessary autonomy and control for those facing unbearable suffering at the end of life. Public opinion polls, such as one published by Ifop in February, indicated that 84% of respondents approved of the project.
For more on this story, see France’s National Assembly Approves Assisted Dying Law for Terminal Patients.
Ongoing Opposition and Ethical Concerns
The legislation remains highly contentious. Critics, including religious organizations, some members of the medical community, and disability rights groups, have expressed concerns regarding potential abuse and the protection of vulnerable individuals. Prominent political figures, such as former Interior Minister and conservative presidential candidate Bruno Retailleau, have spoken out against the measure. The debate has drawn intense reaction from religious groups, with some Catholic leaders threatening to deny communion to lawmakers who support the bill. Protests by anti-euthanasia and anti-abortion organizations were organized near the Assembly on the day of the vote.
International Context
With this approval, France moves toward aligning its legal framework with several other countries that allow various forms of assisted dying. Nations that currently permit such practices under differing legal frameworks include:
| Country | Status |
| :— | :— |
| Belgium | Permitted |
| Netherlands | Permitted |
| Switzerland | Permitted |
| Canada | Permitted |
| Uruguay | Permitted |
In addition to these nations, several states within the United States permit medical aid in dying for terminally ill patients. The French government’s request for a Constitutional Council review ensures that the debate over the law’s final implementation will continue beyond the recent parliamentary vote.
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