French parliament passes assisted dying bill, but hurdles remain

The text, which religious leaders called an ‘anthropological rupture’ in a joint warning before the vote, now goes to the more conservative Senate where some changes are expected.

The French National Assembly passed a bill to legalise assisted dying in its first reading by a wide majority, crossing a crucial line toward loosening its end-of-life law.

On Tuesday, 305 deputies voted in favour, 199 against, and 57 abstained. The vote roughly followed the political divide, with leftist parties supporting the initiative and rightists opposing it, while President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist bloc was divided. It was a free vote, and reports on Wednesday morning listed which deputies were for or against the bill.

The text, which French religious leaders called an “anthropological rupture” in a joint warning before the vote, now goes to the more conservative Senate where some changes are expected.

“The French bishops’ conference … reiterates its deep concern regarding the passage of the law on the ‘right to assisted dying’,” said a Church statement, pledging to “continue to contribute to this major societal debate throughout the ongoing legislative process”.

Hailing it as “an important step”, Macron said “with respect for sensitivities, doubts, and hopes, the path of fraternity that I hoped for is gradually opening up. With dignity and humanity.”

Macron, who has flailed about politically since the snap election he called and lost last year, has suggested a referendum if bargaining between the National Assembly and the Senate gets bogged down.

It is not yet clear whether the two houses will hit an impasse and whether Macron – who supports the reform – would risk a referendum.

Opponents have long argued that the current law allowing palliative care should be better applied, and a separate bill in support of this cause passed unanimously just before deputies took up the more divisive end-of-life bill.

Under the legislation, patients choosing death should take lethal products themselves or have a doctor or nurse administer them. Candidates must be at least 18, French or residing in France, suffering from an “incurable condition … in an advanced or terminal stage”, with unbearable physical or psychological distress. They must be able to request death freely.

The bishops said they would continue to advise politicians “to inform their discernment regarding this infinitely serious, complex, and even intimidating subject of end-of-life support”.

Repeating their support for palliative care, they noted the Church has 800 chaplains and 1,500 volunteers in hospitals, 5,000 visitors at home and in nursing homes, and thousands of priests, deacons, consecrated and lay people aiding the bereaved at funerals in France.

Health Minister Catherine Vautrin foresaw a long process ahead, saying she hoped assisted dying could become law here by 2027.

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