France's Constitutional Council draws fire over social media, end-of-life rulings

France's Constitutional Council has issued significant rulings on two of President Emmanuel Macron's most prominent societal reforms, validating a law on end-of-life assistance while simultaneously striking down a ban on social media access for minors under 15.

The Council's decision to approve the assisted dying law, with some stipulations for practical application, was met with relief by Macron, who hailed it as the culmination of an "exemplary democratic debate" and a "fundamental guarantee for our citizens." This reform represents a key legislative achievement for his second and final term.

However, the Council simultaneously censured the first article of a separate bill aimed at protecting minors, which proposed prohibiting social media use for those under 15. This decision was a setback for the government and has ignited a political firestorm. While some on the left celebrated the preservation of freedom of expression, Gabriel Attal, the Renaissance presidential candidate, urged Macron to put the social media ban to a referendum.

These dual rulings have intensified scrutiny of the Constitutional Council's authority. Critics question the extent of the "Sages'" powers, particularly after they have influenced major legislative outcomes. The contrasting decisions on end-of-life care and internet access for youth highlight the complex and often contentious nature of societal reform in France, promising further political battles over the scope of individual liberties and state regulation.