France definitively approves law legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide

France's National Assembly has given definitive approval to a law that regulates euthanasia and assisted suicide, marking the culmination of a lengthy and complex legislative journey. The bill, which allows for assisted dying for patients suffering from severe, irreversible illnesses and experiencing significant levels of pain, passed with 291 votes in favor and 241 against.

This final vote in the lower house comes after a complicated parliamentary process. The text had received approval from deputies on two occasions since 2025, but was rejected twice by the Senate, which has a conservative majority. The law is slated to come into effect in 2025.

The legislation permits assisted dying for individuals facing grave conditions and unbearable suffering. The process involved multiple readings and debates, highlighting the deep divisions within the French parliament on the sensitive issue of end-of-life choices. The bill's passage represents a significant shift in France's approach to medical assistance in dying.