On 27 May 2025, France’s National Assembly took a significant step towards legalising assisted dying, approving a bill by 305 votes to 199 that allows adults with incurable illnesses to end their lives under strict conditions. This landmark decision, backed by President Emmanuel Macron, marks a turning point in France’s long-standing debate on end-of-life options, aligning the nation with several European neighbours like Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. The bill, which now moves to the Senate for further debate, is expected to face scrutiny but enjoys strong public support, with polls indicating over 90% of French citizens favour legalising the right to die for those with terminal conditions.
The legislation permits adults over 18, who are French citizens or residents, to request a lethal medication if they suffer from a serious, incurable, and life-threatening illness in an advanced or terminal stage. Patients must experience intolerable physical or psychological suffering that cannot be alleviated and must freely express their intent, confirmed after a 48-hour reflection period. Those with severe psychiatric conditions or neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s are ineligible. The lethal dose can be self-administered or, if the patient is physically unable, administered by a medical professional or a chosen individual. Healthcare workers may opt out due to conscientious objection, but obstructing someone’s right to die could lead to a two-year prison sentence and a €30,000 fine.
Health Minister Catherine Vautrin described the “French model” as “strict and closely supervised,” aiming to balance individual autonomy with robust safeguards. The bill avoids terms like “euthanasia” or “assisted suicide,” preferring “aid in dying” to reflect the patient’s agency and to distinguish it from suicide, following recommendations from prevention campaigners. A parallel bill on palliative care, unanimously adopted, addresses the critical gap in end-of-life care, with estimates suggesting 48% of French patients needing palliative support do not receive it.
The path to this vote was fraught. Initial discussions in 2024 were disrupted when Macron dissolved the National Assembly, triggering a political crisis. Earlier this month, he suggested a referendum if parliamentary progress stalled, underscoring the issue’s urgency. Activists, including the Association for the Right to Die with Dignity, have long argued that French citizens should not need to travel abroad—at significant cost—to access dignified end-of-life options. However, opposition persists, particularly from religious leaders representing Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist communities, who warn of an “anthropological rupture” and potential pressure on vulnerable groups like the elderly or disabled.
Critics, including conservative lawmakers and some healthcare professionals, argue the bill’s criteria are too broad, potentially allowing assisted dying for patients with years to live. A poignant protest outside the Assembly saw a Parkinson’s patient liken the bill to “a loaded pistol” on her bedside table, voicing fears of coercion. Conversely, left-wing MPs sought to expand eligibility to minors and non-residents, though these amendments were rejected.
The bill’s final passage could take months due to France’s complex legislative process, with supporters hoping for enactment by 2027. Macron hailed the vote as “an important step” towards a “path of fraternity,” blending dignity and humanity. As France joins a growing European trend, the debate continues to stir ethical, medical, and cultural questions, reflecting the delicate balance between personal choice and societal responsibility.
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