French Legislative Developments on End-of-Life Legislation
The National Assembly approves a bill on assisted dying, setting the stage for Senate review post-summer.
On May 27, 2025, the National Assembly of France adopted a proposed law aimed at establishing a legal framework for assisted dying.
The bill was passed with a significant majority, receiving 305 votes in favor, 199 against, and 57 abstentions.
Additionally, a separate law concerning palliative care was adopted unanimously by the assembly.
Following the bill’s passage, attention now turns to the Senate, where the legislation is expected to be reviewed in September, barring any alterations to the schedule.
This forthcoming examination raises numerous questions about the political landscape, particularly regarding the dynamics leading up to the discussion on the national budget, which is anticipated to be contentious.
Considerations are proliferating regarding how senators will approach the sensitive topic of end-of-life rights.
It remains to be seen whether the senators will vote according to personal beliefs or in response to their relationship with the executive branch of the government.
Furthermore, there is apprehension among legislators related to public perception, specifically concerns about being perceived as outdated on contemporary societal issues.
The context in which this legislative process is unfolding is layered; public opinion data released on May 28 indicates that 57% of the French population views the Prime Minister's performance as disappointing, marking an increase of 7 percentage points over the past two months.
This evolving public sentiment may influence the political maneuvering surrounding the assisted dying debate in the coming months.