The proposed legislation has been strongly supported by French President Emmanuel Macron, although it has faced opposition from several lawmakers in opposition parties as well as religious groups, particularly the Catholic Church.
A total of 527 lawmakers participated in the vote, with 295 voting in favor of the bill and 232 voting against. An additional 35 lawmakers abstained.
The bill received backing from left-wing political parties, including La France Insoumise, the Socialist Party, the The Ecologists, and the French Communist Party. Most conservative and right-wing opposition parties voted against the proposal.
Under the proposed law, an eligible patient who voluntarily requests assisted dying could either self-administer the prescribed medication or, if physically unable to do so, have it administered by a healthcare professional.
The legislation limits eligibility to adults aged 18 and over who are French citizens or legal residents, suffer from an incurable and advanced illness causing unbearable suffering, and whose condition is considered irreversible with no reasonable prospect of recovery.
Before approval, the attending physician would be required to consult another medical specialist, particularly one with expertise in mental health where appropriate. A final decision would be issued within 15 days after a mandatory reflection period of at least two days.
The bill has sparked intense public debate in France, where the issue remains highly sensitive due to the country’s large Catholic population and the Church’s longstanding opposition to euthanasia and assisted dying.
The legislation is expected to undergo a final vote in the French Senate on 15 July 2026.
If ultimately approved, France would become the seventh member of the European Union to legalize some form of assisted dying, joining countries including Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, all of which have legal frameworks permitting assisted dying under specific conditions.
