French Parliament Passes Assisted Dying Law Amid Fierce Debate

In a decisive vote, French MPs have green‑lit an assisted dying law that permits terminally ill adults to request physician‑assisted death under stringent safeguards.

Assisted Dying Law: Criteria and Safeguards

The bill demands confirmation of incurable disease, a prognosis of less than six months to live, and two independent medical opinions. A waiting period of 15 days separates the request from the act, and a national oversight board will audit every case.

“We are codifying compassion while protecting the vulnerable,” said deputy Anne Le Maire.

Public backing has climbed, with recent surveys showing a ↑ 5% rise in support since the law’s first reading. Critics warn that the expansion of euthanasia could pressure patients into premature decisions.

According to Reuters, France joins Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg in legalizing assisted dying under strict conditions. The controversy mirrors broader European debates intensified after the pandemic, where mortality concerns reshaped health policy.