France adopts bill legalising assisted dying for adults with incurable illness

French lawmakers adopted a bill on July 15 that creates a legal right to assisted dying for adults with incurable illnesses, capping months of intense ethical and political debate in parliament. The legislation would allow patients suffering from incurable and life-threatening conditions to request lethal medication under strict medical supervision.

Supporters of the bill argued it gives terminally ill patients greater autonomy and dignity at the end of life, while opponents, including some religious groups and medical associations, raised concerns about pressure on vulnerable patients and the adequacy of palliative care alternatives. The debate divided lawmakers across party lines rather than along traditional political divides.

The text will now be presented to France's constitutional court, which has up to a month to determine whether the law complies with the constitution before it can take effect. If approved, France would join a small number of European countries, including Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain, that permit some form of assisted dying.