**French MPs Seal Fate of Controversial Assisted Dying Bill**
France's lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, has granted final approval to a contentious bill that legalizes euthanasia and assisted suicide. The vote, which took place on Wednesday, concluded with 291 members in favor and 241 against, marking a significant milestone in a legislative journey that has faced considerable opposition and debate.
The legislation, authored by former lawmaker Olivier Falorni, has been described as a "marathon with hurdles," reflecting the challenges it encountered throughout the legislative process. It is now awaiting review by the Constitutional Council, France's highest constitutional authority, which will assess its compliance with constitutional principles.
Support for the bill has waned over successive readings in the National Assembly. In earlier votes, the bill had garnered wider support, passing with 305 votes in favor in May 2025, 299 votes in February 2026, and 295 votes on June 30. However, as the discussions progressed, the backing diminished, highlighting the contentious nature of the issue.
The Senate, which is predominantly conservative, has rejected the bill on three occasions. With no consensus reached in a joint committee, the government exercised its constitutional right to allow the National Assembly to have the final say on the matter.
Under the new legislation, adults who are French citizens or legal residents suffering from a serious, incurable, and life-threatening illness in an advanced or terminal stage will have the right to request lethal medication. This option is available to those experiencing unbearable pain that is resistant to treatment. However, psychological suffering alone is not sufficient to qualify for assisted dying; it must be associated with a physical illness.
The bill stipulates that applicants must be capable of expressing their will freely and in an informed manner, and their mental capacity must not be seriously impaired. Additionally, a mandatory reflection period is required before the administration of any lethal substance. On the day the procedure is to take place, a physician must confirm the patient's desire to proceed. If there are any signs of coercion, the process must be halted and reported to the authorities.
Typically, patients will self-administer the medication, although a doctor or nurse may assist if the patient is physically unable to do so, provided they adhere to a conscience clause.
French President Emmanuel Macron has been a proponent of this reform for several years. He expressed his commitment to the legislation via a post on social media platform X, stating, "In 2022, I committed to opening this path with the French people. With seriousness, with humility, and with full respect for our democracy, that commitment has been fulfilled."
Supporters of the bill, including the Association for the Right to Die With Dignity, argue that it allows individuals to choose to end their suffering in a dignified manner. Jonathan Denis, the association's president, emphasized that the law creates a new right without mandating its use, ensuring that individuals' wishes are respected.
Conversely, critics of the bill, including members of the right-wing UDR group and the Bishops’ Conference of France, have voiced strong opposition. MP Hanane Mansouri warned that the legislation could undermine societal values, while the Bishops’ Conference described it as a "grave rupture" in French history, asserting that it legalizes the potential for causing death.
The law cannot be enacted immediately, as Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has referred it to the Constitutional Council for review. The council will evaluate whether the two-day reflection period before administering the lethal substance respects personal freedom and human dignity, as well as whether adults under legal guardianship can provide informed consent. Additionally, the council will consider how the rights of doctors to refuse participation align with hospitals that choose not to offer assisted dying services.
The Constitutional Council has a month to issue its ruling unless urgency is declared by the government. It retains the authority to annul the law or specific provisions, necessitating further parliamentary action. Only after the council's decision can President Macron enact the legislation.
As the nation awaits the council's ruling, the approval of this bill marks a pivotal moment in France's approach to end-of-life care, reflecting ongoing debates about personal autonomy, medical ethics, and societal values.