France's Parliament Approves Euthanasia Bill, Sends It to Senate

On 30 June 2026 the French National Assembly voted in a third reading to legalise euthanasia and assisted suicide, passing the text by 295 votes to 232 with 35 abstentions. The bill, which would allow patients with irreversible conditions to request medically‑assisted death after a 15‑day evaluation and a minimum two‑day reflection period, also expands eligibility to individuals with intellectual disabilities under certain criteria.

The legislation now moves to the Senate, where a centre‑right majority is expected to reject it before the Assembly returns for a final vote scheduled for 15 July. President Emmanuel Macron has pledged that, if adopted, the law will take effect by the end of 2026.

The proposal has sparked strong opposition from medical bodies and civil‑society groups. The French Society of Palliative Care (SFAP) warned that “this text will cause damage,” noting that half of French patients still lack access to palliative care. Politicians such as deputy Thibault Bazin and Alliance VITA spokesperson Tugdual Derville expressed ethical concerns, while RN deputy Alexandre Sabatou was the sole RN member from Oise to support the bill, arguing that it is “sufficiently regulated.”

Debates continue over the law’s potential to reshape end‑of‑life care, with critics fearing a shift away from palliative support toward a broader right to die.