France Approves Landmark Assisted-Dying Bill, Awaiting Constitutional Review

France's National Assembly has given final approval to a groundbreaking assisted-dying bill, marking a significant shift in the country's approach to end-of-life care after years of intense debate. The legislation, passed by a vote of 291 to 241, allows adults with incurable, life-threatening illnesses causing unbearable suffering to request and potentially self-administer lethal medication. However, the bill's journey to becoming law isn't over yet, as it faces a crucial review by the Constitutional Council. This move by the French Parliament places France among a select group of European nations like Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Spain that have legalized some form of assisted dying. The bill sets strict conditions: eligible patients must be at least 18 years old, French citizens or legal residents, and capable of making a free and informed decision, with psychological suffering alone not qualifying. The legislation has been strongly backed by President Emmanuel Macron but has drawn considerable opposition from conservative parties and religious groups, including the Catholic Church, who advocate for expanded palliative care options. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Senate President Gérard Larcher have announced they will refer the bill to the Constitutional Council, which has up to a month to determine if the text complies with the French Constitution. This review is the final legal hurdle before the law can be enacted. Should it pass constitutional muster, France will implement a new framework for end-of-life care, a development keenly watched across Europe as other countries like the UK continue their own debates on assisted dying.