NA to vote on bill legalising assisted dying

Paris, May 28: France's lower house of parliament is set to vote Tuesday on a bill that would allow adults suffering from incurable illnesses to voluntarily end their life by taking a lethal substance prescribed by medical practitioners. A 2023 report indicated that a majority of French citizens support legalising end-of-life options.

Tuesday's vote, expected in the late afternoon, is a key legislative step on the contentious and long-debated issue. If approved by a majority of lawmakers, the bill will be sent to the Senate for further debate.

A definitive vote on the measure could take months to be scheduled amid France’s long and complex legislative process. The National Assembly has the final say over the Senate.

The proposed measure defines assisted dying as allowing people to use a lethal substance under certain conditions so that they may take it themselves. Only those whose physical condition doesn’t allow them to do it alone would be able to get help from a doctor or a nurse.

Medically assisted suicide involves patients taking, of their own free will, a lethal drink or medication that has been prescribed by a doctor to those who meet certain criteria. Euthanasia involves doctors or other health practitioners giving patients who meet certain criteria a lethal injection at their own request.

To benefit from the newly proposed measure, patients would need to be over 18 and be French citizens or live in France.

A team of medical professionals would need to confirm that the patient has a grave and incurable illness “at an advanced or terminal stage”, is suffering from intolerable and untreatable pain, and is seeking lethal medication of their own free will.

Patients with severe psychiatric conditions and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease won’t be eligible.

The person would initiate the request for lethal medication and confirm the request after a period of reflection. If approved, a doctor would then deliver a prescription for the lethal medication, which could be taken at home, at a nursing home or a health care facility.

In parallel, another bill on palliative care meant to reinforce measures to relieve pain and preserve patients' dignity will also be put to a vote Tuesday.

A 2023 report indicated that most French citizens back legalising end-of-life options, and opinion polls show growing support over the past 20 years. Initial discussions in parliament last year were abruptly interrupted by President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to dissolve the National Assembly, plunging France into a months-long political crisis.(AFP)