The French parliament has definitively adopted a law that would allow assisted dying in the country for the first time - so what exactly does the law allow, and when will it come into force?
When it comes to assisted dying - aide à mourir in French - France has been one of the stricter European countries, not allowing it under any circumstances.
However a citizens' convention on the subject, plus polls showing strong public support, began the move towards legislation and after almost two years of debates (halted several times as governments and prime ministers fell), the law was finally passed in the Assemblée nationale on Wednesday.
Next steps
The law has not been without controversy, although it had strong support in the Assemblée nationale, the Senate was opposed and had tried to block or alter the legislation.
