France Votes to Legalise Assisted Dying With Strict Safeguards
The French National Assembly has voted to create a legal right to assisted dying for adults with serious, incurable, life‑threatening illnesses that cause unbearable suffering. The law will apply only after a medical confirmation and a two‑day period of reflection by the patient.
The bill passed 291 votes to 241, after the Senate rejected it three times. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will refer key provisions to France’s Constitutional Council for review before the measure can become law.
Under the proposal, a patient must freely express their wish to the doctor, who will decide after a 15‑day consultation. If the patient can self‑administer the lethal substance, they may do so after two days of reflection; otherwise a doctor or nurse may administer it.
The procedure is designed to safeguard against abuse: a second doctor will verify the patient’s decision on the day of administration. The law also restricts the procedure to patients in advanced or terminal stages whose suffering is medically incurable.
The vote places France alongside the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland, where assisted killing or suicide is legal under regulated circumstances. The United Kingdom’s own debate remains unresolved, with a proposed bill set to return to Parliament in September.
The debate in France has drawn opposition from the Catholic Church and parts of the medical profession, while opinion polls suggest a majority of the population supports giving terminally ill patients the choice between palliative care and assisted dying. Constitutional Council review will focus on patient reflection time, consent safeguards and the role of care facilities.
