French Assembly Approves Right to Aid to Die for Third Time

Overview

• The National Assembly approved the proposal again on Tuesday, June 30, by 295 votes to 232, marking a third parliamentary adoption after earlier approvals in 2025 and February 2026.
• Under the version passed by deputies, adults who are French or resident, have a grave incurable illness with prognosis in an advanced or terminal phase, face refractory or insupportable suffering, and can express a free and informed will may be eligible for aid to die, with auto-administration set as the default.
• Lawmakers deleted proposed criminal offences for obstruction and incitement, kept conscience clauses for individual professionals, and required a collegial medical review, notification within 15 days and at least a two-day reflection period before the act.
• The bill returns to the Senate on July 7 where another rejection is expected, and the government has said the National Assembly will cast a definitive vote on July 15 that could lead to the law taking effect before year-end.
• Coverage and reactions split sharply: many centrist and left deputies hailed an overdue reform and tight safeguards, while major palliative-care bodies and religious leaders warned it was built against caregivers’ advice and raised risks for faith-based institutions and vulnerable patients.