End of life: MPs called upon to make a final decision on the right to assisted dying

The National Assembly is examining, this Wednesday, July 15, the final vote on the bill establishing a right to assisted dying. This text, introduced as part of Emmanuel Macron 's second-term commitments , could bring France into the circle of European countries authorizing, under certain conditions, assisted suicide or euthanasia. Its adoption would mark a major shift in the French legal framework regarding end-of-life care.

The program is reserved for adults suffering from a serious and incurable illness, whose life is at an advanced or terminal stage, and who are experiencing refractory or unbearable suffering. Members of Parliament abandoned the criterion of limited life expectancy, deeming it difficult to assess medically, while maintaining strict eligibility requirements.

A referral to the Constitutional Council has already been announced.

The text stipulates that the patient must be able to express a free and informed will. After a request is made to a physician, the latter must consult other healthcare professionals before making a decision within a maximum of fifteen days. A reflection period of at least two days will then be imposed before any confirmation. If the patient is physically unable to self-administer the lethal substance, a physician or nurse may perform the procedure.

Healthcare professionals will have a conscience clause allowing them to refuse to participate in the procedure, provided they refer the patient to another practitioner. Despite amendments made to the text during parliamentary debates, it continues to generate heated discussion. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has already announced that he will refer the bill to the Constitutional Council after the vote to rule on issues such as the withdrawal period, the situation of legally incapacitated adults, and the specifics of the conscience clause.