France Votes 291–241 To Legalise Assisted Dying: The National Assembly Passed The Bill On July 15 After The Senate Blocked It Last Year But A Constitutional Council Review Could Still Delay Implementation
According to the Associated Press, France’s National Assembly voted 291–241 on July 15, 2026, to give final approval to a bill legalising medically assisted dying for adults with incurable illnesses; the culmination of years of debate and President Emmanuel Macron’s most significant social reform.
Under the law, patients with incurable conditions causing unbearable suffering may request a lethal substance, which they self-administer if physically capable, or have administered by a doctor or nurse if not.
Psychological suffering alone does not qualify, and those with severe psychiatric disorders or neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s are excluded.
Requests are reviewed by health professionals within 15 days, followed by a mandatory two-day reflection period. All associated costs will be covered by France’s national health insurance system.
The bill had already passed the National Assembly three times but was rejected by the Senate. The government exercised its constitutional right to give the lower house the final say. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a review by the Constitutional Council, meaning the law does not take immediate effect.
This is the longest legislative debate France has seen since the 1980s, and it ended with the right answer. A law that gives terminally ill people dignity in death does not force anyone to choose it — it simply ensures that unbearable suffering is never someone’s only option.
Check out our previous coverage of health on The Trusted Times.
