France’s Assemblée Nationale is nearing a vote on a bill establishing a right to “assisted dying,” following a final debate session that concluded on May 24. Roland Lescure, an MP from Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party, commended the MPs present for their “exemplary examination” of the bill, which is scheduled for a vote on Tuesday, May 27.
The seven days of debate were notable for their lack of major disruptions or heated clashes, with MPs from the left and centrist blocs championing the bill as a guarantee of “a final freedom.” However, some dissension remained among lawmakers within the Macron-aligned centrist bloc.
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Supporters of the “major bill” deliberately adopted a low-profile approach in both the substance and style of their interventions, a conscious strategy to avoid providing ammunition to opponents. Olivier Falorni, a left-wing independent MP and the bill’s lead rapporteur, cautioned against extending the assisted dying right to minors.
Catherine Vautrin, the minister for labor, health, solidarity and families, attended nearly all of the approximately 90 hours of parliamentary debates. Her objectives were to reassure critics about the “strict” eligibility criteria for assisted dying and to provide “guarantees” aimed at securing the process.
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