French President Emmanuel Macron’s assisted dying bill passed its first hurdle on the 27th (local time) after prolonged discussions. According to the Associated Press and other sources, the French National Assembly approved the assisted dying bill with 305 votes in favor and 199 against.
President Macron described the bill’s passage through the Assembly as an “important advancement” on his social media network, X (formerly Twitter), stating that a path of fraternity he hoped for is gradually opening, with respect for sensitivity, skepticism, and hope.
The assisted dying bill is a significant legislative initiative pushed by President Macron. It was initially submitted for parliamentary review at the end of May last year, but discussions were temporarily halted when Macron dissolved the parliament a month later and called for early general elections.
The bill applies to French nationals or legal residents in France who are 18 years or older. It allows individuals who are suffering from severe and incurable illnesses, which may be advanced or terminal, causing persistent physical or psychological suffering, to choose to end their life with medical assistance, based on their own free will.