France Set To Vote On Assisted Dying Legislation

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PARIS: France’s lower house of parliament is poised to adopt a landmark assisted dying law on Wednesday, concluding a grueling fourteen-year legislative battle over the controversial social reform.

Championed by President Emmanuel Macron, the bill grants terminally ill adults suffering from unbearable physical pain the legal right to end their lives. A medical panel will evaluate the criteria, but a single physician holds final decision-making authority, and patients must self-administer the lethal substance unless physically incapacitated.

The legislation easily cleared the National Assembly but faced total rejection in the right-wing dominated Senate. This gridlock forced the government to invoke a constitutional rule giving the lower house the final say without upper-chamber assent.

Far-right lawmakers and religious groups heavily criticize the text as highly dangerous, warning of severe future abuses. Opponents have organized public protests outside the National Assembly building.

Following final adoption, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu will immediately refer the legislation to the Constitutional Council for a definitive, binding legal review.