The French National Assembly voted and approved this Wednesday the law that legalizes both euthanasia and assisted suicide for adults with incurable diseases and severe suffering. The text passed the third and final reading in the lower house, where 291 deputies voted in favor and 241 against, and concluded a legislative process of more than a year, marked by discussions in the Senate, which has a conservative majority.
The new law guaranteed the right to medical aid in dying under strict conditions: only those who are of legal age, have French nationality or reside legally in the country and are suffering from a serious, incurable, and advanced or terminal illness, which causes physical or psychological suffering considered unbearable and without the possibility of relief, may request it. In addition, the person must express their will freely, in an informed manner, and while in full possession of their faculties.
The procedure requires that the request be made in writing to a physician, who must respond within a maximum period of 15 days after consulting with other professionals. If the request is approved, the patient must confirm their decision after a minimum reflection period of two days.
The protocol also established the possibility of presenting alternatives such as palliative care and reminded that the person may withdraw at any time. When the patient is not in a physical condition to self-administer the medication, the intervention will be carried out by a doctor or a nurse.
More Read
The law provided for conscientious objection for healthcare personnel, but the professional who refuses to participate will have the obligation to refer the patient to another colleague willing to perform the procedure.
The text emerged as an initiative by President Emmanuel Macron, who since 2024 has sought to make the regulation of medical aid in dying one of the main social advances of his second term, which concludes in May 2027.
The president thanked the democratic debate and the work of the parliamentarians following the approval of the regulation.
More Read
The project went through multiple parliamentary stages: it received the support of the National Assembly on two occasions and faced two rejections from the Senate, which forced successive revisions and negotiations to reach the necessary consensus.
The law will now be reviewed by the Constitutional Council, a body to which the government turned due to doubts regarding specific aspects of the text, such as the two-day reflection period and the conditions applicable to persons under judicial guardianship. It will also be consulted on the compatibility between the conscience clause for healthcare professionals and the operation of medical and social centers dedicated to end-of-life care, which do not accept accelerating death but also do not resort to therapeutic obstinacy.
The French Catholic Church expressed its rejection of the law’s approval. It described the measure as a serious rupture in the country’s history and warned about the changes it would imply in the relationship with vulnerability, disability, old age, and illness.
Macron, through a statement on social media, highlighted the importance of democratic debate and thanked the parliamentarians for the constructive tone of the discussion. He also acknowledged the contribution of the citizens, caregivers, and associations that participated in the citizens’ convention convened to advise on the matter.
For his part, the President of the Senate, Gérard Larcher, anticipated his intention to appeal to the Constitutional Council, which added to the process of reviewing the law.
Gérard Larcher, President of the Senate, announced that he will challenge the law before the Constitutional Council (Reuters)
Until this Wednesday’s vote, French legislation had allowed since 2016 deep and continuous sedation for terminally ill patients with a short life expectancy. The new law places France among the countries in Europe that have legalized, under certain conditions, euthanasia or assisted suicide, such as Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, in addition to Canada and Uruguay.
The Government hopes that the intervention of the Constitutional Council will allow for any doubts to be clarified and ensure that the application of the law fully respects the principles of human dignity and personal freedom. With this legislative decision, France concluded a long period of social and parliamentary debate and redefined the legal framework regarding the right to assisted dying in the country.
