'Assisted dying' law passes parliamentary vote in France

The "assisted dying" law, which has been a subject of long-standing debate in France, was put to a vote during a session at the National Assembly. Lawmakers approved the bill, which grants adults with incurable, severe illnesses access to a lethal substance under specific conditions, with 291 "yes" votes and 241 "no" votes. The law paves the way for the legalization of assisted suicide and, in certain cases, euthanasia in France for the first time.

The bill restricts the right to assisted dying to individuals who are at least 18 years old and are either French citizens or regular residents of France. Applicants must suffer from a severe and incurable disease, be in an advanced or terminal stage of that disease, and experience physical or psychological suffering caused by the condition that cannot be alleviated by treatment or has become unbearable for them.

It is also required that the person be able to express their request freely, consciously, and clearly, without being under duress. Individuals with significantly impaired decision-making capacity will not be eligible for this right. The text also guarantees that the patient can withdraw their request at any stage of the process.

Patient to take the lethal substance, health worker to administer in exceptional cases

According to the law, the patient will submit their request for assisted dying to a doctor. The doctor will examine whether the patient meets the necessary criteria. The application will undergo an evaluation process that includes at least one other doctor and a healthcare worker familiar with the patient's care. The final decision will be made by the doctor.

The fundamental rule in the bill is that the lethal substance must be taken by the patient themselves. In this case, the procedure will be classified as "assisted suicide." However, if the patient is physically unable to take the substance themselves, it may be administered by a doctor or nurse. In this exceptional case, the procedure will be classified as "euthanasia."

The doctor is expected to make a decision on the application within a maximum of 15 days, and after the decision, the patient must be granted a reflection period of at least 2 days, with the right to withdraw the request until the very last moment. On the day the procedure is to be performed, the doctor must re-verify whether the patient still maintains their decision.

The law also includes a right to conscientious objection for healthcare workers. Doctors or nurses who do not wish to participate in the assisted dying process will not be forced to do so. However, in such cases, the patient must be provided with the names of healthcare workers who are willing to participate in the process.

"A major social transformation rarely seen"

In statements made by the government following the vote, it was emphasized that the law represents a significant social change for France. Minister for Relations with Parliament Laurent Panifous addressed the lawmakers, saying, "You have decided on a major social transformation rarely seen in our society. You said yes four times, and today you have done so definitively."

Minister for People with Disabilities and Autonomy Camille Galliard-Minier also stated that the debate on assisted dying should be evaluated through the lens of the suffering experienced by patients. "There are pains that nothing can soothe, pains that prevent living," said Galliard-Minier, calling on lawmakers to "look at this reality with respect and humility."

Olivier Falorni, one of the architects of the bill, described the passage of the regulation after a long process as the result of a struggle that has lasted for years. While characterizing the process as the "end of a long marathon," Falorni emphasized that the text is not an unrestricted practice but a right tied to strict conditions.

Constitutional Council to review

Although the law has definitively passed the parliament, it will not come into effect immediately. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced that he would refer the text to the Constitutional Council. The Prime Minister's Office stated that the referral aims to ensure that the law is implemented in accordance with constitutional principles.

In a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, it was noted that "the implementation of the law must take place in full compliance with the principles guaranteed by our Constitution, and in particular the principle of human dignity."

It was reported that the review would specifically examine the at least 2-day reflection period granted to the patient, the ability of protected adults to provide free and conscious consent, and the provisions regarding conscientious objection.

Senate President Gerard Larcher also argued that the text should be taken to the Constitutional Council. Larcher had previously stated that the government did not take into account the warnings and the safeguard mechanisms proposed by the Senate, expressing that the law was not sufficiently clear, particularly regarding the right to conscientious objection for healthcare institutions.

Senate rejected it 3 times, National Assembly had the final say

The passage of the law came after a long and controversial parliamentary process lasting approximately 2 years. The first government bill prepared in 2024 was left unfinished due to the dissolution of the assembly. Later, two separate legislative proposals—one strengthening palliative care and the other establishing the right to assisted dying—were brought to the assembly's agenda.

The National Assembly had previously approved the assisted dying regulation during different readings. However, the Senate, where the right-wing and centrist majority holds sway, rejected the text 3 times. After failing to reach a consensus on a joint text, the government used the powers granted by the Constitution to leave the final word to the National Assembly. Thus, lawmakers definitively approved the text with the final vote held today.

France prepares for a new era of implementation

If approved by the Constitutional Council, France will join countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Canada that have established a legal framework for the right to assisted dying. However, when the practice will begin will depend on the decision of the Constitutional Council and the implementing regulations to be issued.

The passage of the law opens a new chapter in France regarding patient rights, the responsibilities of healthcare workers, conscientious objection, and the protection of individuals at the end of their lives. The decision to be made by the Constitutional Council will determine under what conditions and when the text can be implemented.

At least 158 French citizens sought this path abroad last year

Until now, active euthanasia and assisted suicide were considered prohibited in France. The 2016 Claeys-Leonetti Law regulated the right to deep and continuous sedation and the withdrawal of treatment for patients at the end of their lives. However, this regulation did not allow for the administration of a lethal substance at the patient's request. Due to limited legal options, some French patients were traveling to countries such as Belgium and Switzerland.

In this context, it was reported that at least 158 French citizens sought euthanasia or assisted suicide in Belgium and Switzerland in 2025. It was stated that 110 of these individuals lost their lives through euthanasia in Belgium, and 48 through assisted suicide in Switzerland.

It was reported that the number of French patients in Belgium has doubled compared to 2022. However, it was noted that caution should be exercised when comparing with previous years, as the requirement for patients to report their country of residence only began to be implemented in Belgium as of March 2024.

According to data from Switzerland, the number of applications for assisted suicide by French citizens has shown an increase in the long term.

News Source: İHA