In brief
After three rejections by the Senate, French MPs have finally approved a bill that would allow adulthood patients with terminal illnesses to access assisted dying under stringent conditions. The law requires a patient’s clear expression of intent, a 15‑day medical review, a two‑day reflection period, and verification by a physician on the day of administration. While opinion polls suggest broad public support, the bill faces opposition from the Catholic Church, parts of the medical community, and some political figures, who fear it could burden vulnerable patients. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu intends to send key provisions to the Constitutional Council for review before the law takes effect, marking a pivotal moment in Europe’s evolving debate on end‑of‑life rights.
French MPs voted 291 to 241 in the National Assembly to approve a bill that would create a legal right to assisted dying for adults suffering from a serious, incurable, life‑threatening illness in an advanced or terminal stage. The law, which has faced three rejections in the upper house, requires patients to freely express their intent to a doctor. The doctor must then assess the patient’s condition and, within 15 days, confirm that the patient meets the medical criteria for assisted dying.
Patients are granted a two‑day period for reflection after this confirmation. If they are able, they must self‑administer a lethal substance; otherwise, a medical professional may do so. The day of the act must be verified by the physician to confirm that the patient’s decision remains unchanged.
Proponents argue the bill gives terminally ill individuals the option of a dignified life or death and aligns France with countries such as the Netherlands and Belgium that have already legalised assisted dying. Critics fear that the legislation could become a burden on vulnerable patients and that the reflection period is too short to ensure fully informed consent.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the bill would be sent to the Constitutional Council to review key provisions before it becomes law. The council will examine the reflection period, the ability of patients with impaired judgement to give free and informed consent, and the role of healthcare facilities that traditionally provide palliative care.
While polls suggest that a majority of French citizens support end‑of‑life choice options, political divisions remain stark. The Catholic Church has voiced strong opposition, and the current Senate, dominated by right‑wing parties, previously rejected the bill in all three attempts.
In the broader European context, France would join several countries that have decriminalised assisted dying in some form. The United Kingdom’s bill to legalise assisted dying stalled earlier this year and is set to return to Parliament in September.
