France’s parliament has approved a bill that would allow assisted dying for adults suffering from terminal illnesses, marking a major step toward changing the country’s approach to end-of-life care.
The legislation would allow eligible patients to request a lethal substance, which could either be taken by the patient themselves or administered by a medical professional. The measure applies to French citizens and legal residents diagnosed with a life-threatening illness that has reached an advanced or terminal stage and causes persistent physical suffering.
Lawmakers emphasized that psychological suffering alone would not qualify someone for assisted dying under the new rules. People suffering solely from severe psychiatric conditions or neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease would not be eligible.
Applicants would also have to demonstrate that their decision is voluntary and informed. Each request must be reviewed by a doctor, followed by an assessment from a panel of medical experts before approval can be granted.
The vote in the National Assembly on Wednesday passed with 291 lawmakers supporting the bill and 241 opposing it. The lower house had already approved the legislation in three previous readings.
