The French National Assembly has officially passed the euthanasia bill in a final vote, according to News.am. As reported by Euronews, the legislation was approved following extensive debate. This move marks the fulfillment of a key campaign promise made by President Emmanuel Macron.
The law permits individuals to seek "assistance in dying." It is exclusively available to French adult citizens who suffer from severe and incurable illnesses. To be eligible, patients must be experiencing unbearable physical or psychological suffering.
The passage of the bill was not without challenges. While the National Assembly passed the measure three times, it was rejected by the Senate on three separate occasions. During the final vote, the project was supported by left-wing parties and Macron's allies, while far-right forces and the Republicans voted against it.
Provisions regarding specific life expectancy requirements were removed from the initial draft. Doctors emphasized that it is impossible to accurately predict a patient's remaining lifespan, which had been a central point of contention during the legislative debates.
