In France, the National Assembly has adopted legislation creating a right to assisted dying, a reform that has been debated for years. The bill was approved by 299 votes to 226 and must now return to the Senate.
Before the final vote, members of parliament reviewed several sensitive points. They reinstated self-administration of the lethal substance as the principle, with the intervention of a healthcare professional becoming exceptional. They also clarified that psychological suffering alone cannot justify the right to assisted dying, contrary to the initial version.
Parliamentarians confirmed the eligibility criteria, the collegial procedure, and the conscience clause. Attempts to rename the measure "assisted suicide" or "euthanasia" failed, but a criminal offense of incitement was added.
The bill must now return to the Senate, which will examine it in April. In the event of persistent disagreement, the National Assembly could have the final say. Falorni believes that final adoption before the summer remains possible.
 Pascal Lemontel
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26/02/2026 | 
