Screens display the results of the vote, 291 in favor and 241 against, on a bill on the right to assisted dying at the National Assembly in Paris, France, on Wednesday. Photo by Teresa Suarez/EPA
July 16 (UPI) -- French lawmakers on Wednesday gave final approval to legislation permitting adults suffering from a serious and incurable, life-threatening condition to seek assisted dying.
France's National Assembly approved the assisted-dying bill in a 291-241 vote, with 29 in abstentions, following years of debate and consideration.
When implemented, France would become the 14th nation worldwide and the ninth in Europe to permit some form of assisted dying, according to a European Parliament Research Service report, while several other countries, including Cyprus and Malta, are considering similar legislation.
President Emmanuel Macron of France, who vowed in 2022 to open a path to assisted dying, welcomed the lawmakers' approval of the bill.
