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.
France’s National Assembly is voting Tuesday on a bill to allow adults with incurable illness to take lethal medication, as public demands grow across Europe for legal 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.
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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.
Read moreFrench parliament to vote on assisted suicide: Patients share their stories
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
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