French National Assembly Endorses Assisted Dying Legislation

In a landmark decision, French lawmakers advance a bill allowing assisted dying for terminally ill patients.

In a historic vote, the French National Assembly has approved a bill that would permit assisted dying for individuals suffering from terminal illnesses. This legislation, receiving substantial support from President Emmanuel Macron, passed with a vote of 305 to 199, paving the way for its next review in the upper house, the Senate. Advocates are optimistic that the law could be enacted by 2027, positioning France as the eighth member of the European Union to embrace a form of assisted dying.

Unlike the more liberal practices observed in the Netherlands and Belgium, the proposed French law maintains stricter criteria. The bill specifies that only those afflicted with a serious, incurable illness, who are experiencing severe and constant physical or psychological suffering, are eligible for assisted dying. Patients must demonstrate their intention to proceed voluntarily, with a mandatory wait period of 48 hours for confirmation.

Following the approval of this contentious bill, a parallel initiative aimed at enshrining a right to palliative care passed effortlessly, spotlighting the inadequacy of current palliative treatment access—an estimated 48% of patients in need do not receive appropriate care.

Debates within the Assembly highlighted the complex qualifications for assisted dying, resulting in a cautious, albeit significant step forward in health care legislation. Despite this progress, dissent emerged predominantly from conservative factions and advocates of traditional values, who expressed concerns over potential exploitation of vulnerable individuals.

Outside the National Assembly, protests arose, with opponents warning that the definitive language of the bill could inadvertently pressure those, especially elderly patients, into choosing assisted dying to ease perceived burdens on their families. Meanwhile, left-wing critics pushed to expand eligibility criteria, suggesting inclusion for minors, immigrants, and patients unable to communicate their wishes.

The bill also incorporates provisions respecting medical staff's right to abstain from performing assisted dying procedures if they oppose it on ethical grounds, although attempts to criminalize “incitement to assisted dying” were ultimately rejected. Prime Minister François Bayrou indicated that he would abstain from a vote if eligible, reflective of the church's influence amidst ongoing public debate over the ethical implications of assisted dying legislation.