Emmanuel Macron has promulgated the law on the right to assisted dying, published Wednesday, August 19, in the Official Journal. This major societal reform comes after several years of consultations, parliamentary debates, and disagreements between various political forces, religious representatives, and part of the medical community.
The text authorizes certain patients to receive a lethal substance for self-administration in the presence of a healthcare professional. When the person is physically unable to perform this action, the substance may be administered by a caregiver. This possibility remains subject to a medical procedure designed to verify that all legal conditions are met.
Strictly regulated access conditions
The applicant must be of legal age, a French citizen, or a resident of France on a stable basis. They must be suffering from a serious and incurable illness, in an advanced or terminal stage, accompanied by unbearable physical pain. The patient must also be capable of expressing their free and informed wishes until the very end. A physician will make the decision after consulting with other professionals involved in their care.
The Constitutional Council upheld the core of the law on August 14, while expressing some reservations regarding its interpretation. Its implementation will not be immediate, however, as several decrees are still needed to clarify the practical details, the medical procedure, and the obligations of healthcare professionals. Hailed as a step forward by its supporters, the reform remains fiercely contested by associations, religious leaders, and healthcare professionals who fear its consequences for vulnerable individuals.
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