The French National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, voted on May 27 to legalize assisted dying, paving the way for euthanasia and physician-assisted death under what activists describe as some of the strictest conditions in Europe.
The first reading of the bill passed with 305 votes in favor and 199 against. Lawmakers also unanimously backed a less controversial law to establish a right to palliative care in specialized end-of-life facilities.
Both votes mark the start of a lengthy legislative process, requiring the bills to pass through the Senate and then return to the National Assembly for a second reading, meaning it’s unlikely to become law before next year.
The government framed the assisted dying bill as an “ethical response to the need to support the sick and those who suffer,” emphasizing that it is not “a new right or freedom” but rather a balance between respect and personal autonomy.
The law would allow a medical team to determine whether a patient qualifies to receive a lethal substance, which they may administer themselves or have administered by a nurse or doctor if physically unable to do so.
Strict criteria for patients include:
- Being over 18
- Holding French citizenship or residency
- Suffering from a serious, incurable, life-threatening, advanced, or terminal illness that is irreversible
- Experiencing constant, unbearable physical or psychological pain that cannot be relieved by medical treatment
- Being able to freely and consciously express their wish to end their life
President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the vote as a “significant step,” comparing it to major social reforms like the legalization of abortion and abolition of the death penalty.
Still, the measure faces opposition from conservative lawmakers, religious groups, and many healthcare professionals, who question both the ethics and the timing of the legislation. Some argue that proper access to palliative care should be guaranteed before discussing assisted death.
