France has officially approved one of the most controversial social laws in recent years. The country's parliament voted to introduce the right to assisted death for patients with incurable illnesses. The decision is the result of years of intense debate involving ethical, political, and medical aspects.
Voting Results and Conditions for Application
291 deputies voted in favor of the document, while 241 voted against. The law will not come into force immediately: first, it must undergo review by the French Constitutional Council. Only after receiving the Council's opinion will the document become effective.
The right to use the new provision will be granted only to adult citizens of France or foreigners permanently residing in the country. The key condition is the presence of a serious and incurable disease in an advanced or terminal stage, which causes constant physical or psychological suffering considered unbearable by the patient.
The most important criterion remains the person's ability to make such a decision independently and consciously. The law excludes the possibility of applying the procedure for people suffering solely from mental disorders or neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, which deprive the patient of the ability to express their will.
Procedure Mechanism and the Role of Doctors
According to the text of the law, the patient primarily takes the lethal medication independently. However, if the physical condition does not allow this, a doctor or medical worker may provide assistance. Before starting the procedure, the doctor must ensure that all legal requirements are met and consult with other specialists.
Government Reaction and International Context
French President Emmanuel Macron commented on the event on the social network X, emphasizing that the issue of life, suffering, and human dignity required a balanced approach. According to him, the only possible way was to allow time for dialogue and a full discussion.
France is not the first country to address this issue. In January 2022, a law allowing euthanasia for the incurably ill came into force in Austria. At the same time, not all states are taking this path: for example, in Slovenia, citizens rejected the assisted death law in a referendum, stopping its entry into force despite prior parliamentary approval.
