France definitively adopts law legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide

France's National Assembly has definitively adopted a law legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide, marking a significant turning point in end-of-life care. After a contentious parliamentary journey, which began before the dissolution of the previous government and resumed a year and a half ago, deputies voted 291 to 241 in favor of the legislation. This historic vote fulfills President Emmanuel Macron's promise to introduce a new "French model" for end-of-life decisions.

The law's passage represents a major societal shift, challenging the long-standing prohibition against intentionally ending a life. The legislative process was not without its hurdles. Initially proposed as a government bill, it was swept away by the 2024 dissolution. The reform then resurfaced through two separate proposals: one on palliative care, which passed with broad support, and another on assisted dying, which proved far more divisive and sparked heated debates.

This is the fourth time parliamentarians in the lower house have approved this reform, with a majority generally favoring this societal evolution. The final vote count of 291 in favor, 241 against, and 29 abstentions aligns with previous ballots in the National Assembly, underscoring a consistent legislative will to enact this change.