France's parliament approves law on medical aid in dying

After years of intense political and societal debate, France's parliament has approved a landmark law that permits medical assistance for suicide for patients with incurable diseases. This decision marks a significant milestone in the country's discussion surrounding end-of-life care.

The legislation, which passed its final parliamentary hurdle in the Assemblée Nationale, establishes strict conditions for access. While seen as a major social reform, it differs from euthanasia laws in neighboring Belgium. The French law primarily facilitates medical aid in dying, where patients administer the life-ending medication themselves, typically with a healthcare professional present.

Euthanasia, where a doctor administers the medication, will only be permitted if the patient's physical condition makes self-administration impossible. Key requirements include the patient being at least 18 years old, holding French nationality or residing in France, and suffering from a serious, incurable, and life-threatening condition. The treating physician, after consulting a healthcare team, must confirm the patient's advanced or terminal stage of illness and their unbearable suffering.

Crucially, individuals suffering solely from psychological distress or severe psychiatric disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, are not eligible under this new law. This contrasts with Belgium's legislation, which allows for euthanasia in cases of both physical and psychological suffering, provided the patient is an adult.

Before the law can be enacted, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced it would be presented to the Constitutional Council for review. The council has one month to determine if the legislation complies with the French constitution. President Emmanuel Macron had pledged to introduce such a law during his 2022 re-election campaign, positioning it as one of the most significant social reforms since the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2013.