France's parliament set to approve assisted‑dying law after years of debate

France’s National Assembly voted 291‑241 to adopt a new assisted‑dying law, the culmination of more than a decade of parliamentary battles. The bill creates a right for adults with serious, incurable illnesses in an advanced or terminal stage to end their lives under strict conditions. A patient must make a free, informed request to a doctor, undergo a 15‑day medical review, and then confirm the decision after at least a two‑day reflection period. The lethal medication is to be self‑administered, with a doctor or nurse able to intervene if the patient is physically unable.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that the law will be referred to France’s Constitutional Council for a constitutional review before it can take effect. The Council will assess issues such as the length of the reflection period, the protection of vulnerable adults, and the clause‑of‑conscience provisions for health‑care professionals. President Emmanuel Macron, who has championed end‑of‑life reform, will see the legislation, if upheld, place France alongside the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Canada as a nation permitting assisted dying.

The proposal has faced opposition from right‑wing senators, religious groups and some medical bodies, but opinion polls consistently show a majority of French citizens in favour of a legal option to alleviate unbearable suffering. The final Assembly vote is scheduled for 15 July 2026, after which the Constitutional Council will have up to a month to issue its ruling.